Adam Larsson

History

2008-09: Played most of the season for Skelleftea at the J20 junior level.  In 26 games, he scored 2 goals and added 7 assists for 9 points.  he also picked up 28 penalty minutes in those games.  In 5 playoff games, Larsson picked up 4 assists.  He was named to Sweden’s entry at the U-18 World Junior Championships, where he picked up 2 assists in 6 games.

2009-10: Played for Skelleftea in the SEL.  In 49 games, Larsson scored 4 goals and added 13 assists for 17 points against older competition.  Played for Sweden at both the U-20 and U-18 World Junior Championships.  In 6 games at the U-20, he scored 1 goal and added 3 assists for 4 points.  At the Under-18, Larsson scored 2 goals and picked up 1 assist in 5 games.  Chosen 17th overall by Lokomotiv at the 2010 KHL (RUS) Draft.

2010-11: Larsson played for Skelleftea in the SEL once again, picking up 1 goal and 8 assists for 9 points in 37 games.  He represented Sweden at the 2011 Under-20 World Junior Championship, where he scored 1 goal and added 3 assists for 4 points in 6 games. Overall, in 15 games of international competition for Sweden, Larsson scored 1 goal and added 7 assists for 8 points.  Larsson was nominated as the 2011 Elitserien Rookie of the Year, an award won by Mattias Ekholm.

Video interview with Adam Larsson from the 2011 NHL Combine

Talent Analysis

Upon first glance at his numbers, one might not be overly impressed. But there is much more to Larsson’s game than numbers. He is a workhorse, capable of logging major minutes in all situations. He has played with uncommon poise for a player of his age in a league against men in the Swedish Elite League the past two years. Simply put, there aren’t very many holes in Larsson’s game. He is the complete package, capable of taking over a game with his size, skating and elite two-way skills. He’s likely not going to ever contribute elite offensive numbers from the backend, but he is more than capable of rushing the puck end-to-end, making great stretch passes with his superb vision and unleashing a hard and accurate point shot.

Future

Think of Red Wings great Nicklas Lidstrom, who just happens to be the guy that Larsson models his game after, when projecting what Larsson has the potential to become in the not-too-distant future. He has already signed with the Devils and will immediately compete for a job at the NHL level.