Johan Larsson
Image: Brad Rempel/Icon SMI

Johan Larsson

Hometown:

Lau Sweden

Team:

Buffalo Sabres

Currently Playing In:

Pro

Birthday:

1992-07-25
Position:

C
Eligible for draft:

2010
Shoots:

Left
Drafted:

2010
Height:

5-10
Acquired:

Trade with Minnesota, 2013
Weight:

200 lbs.
Prospect Talent Score
7.0

About Prospect Talent Score and Probability of Success»

Probability of Success
  • B

History

2008-09: Johan Larsson played mostly for Brynas at the J20 junior level.  In 33 games, Larsson scored 4 goals and added 5 assists for 9 points.  He registered no points in 5 playoff games.

2009-10: Larsson played for the Brynas J20 squad once again, netting 15 goals and adding 19 assists for 34 points in 40 games.  Larsson broke loose at the U-18 World Junior Championships in Minsk, posting 6 goals and 8 assists for 14 points in just 5 games, which ranked him second in points at the tournament. Larsson was also captain of the Swedish entry, which won silver. Larsson was chosen by the Minnesota Wild in the second round, 56th overall, of the 2010 NHL Draft.

2010-11: Larsson appeared in 43 games for Brynas as an 18-year-old rookie in Sweden's Elitserien and scored 4 goals with 4 assists. In mostly lower line duty, Larsson was +3 with 18 PMs as Brynas finished seventh in the 12-team league. He skated in all five playoff games and had 2 assists and was -4. In ten games with Brynas' U20 team he scored 6 goals with 9 assists. Larsson skated for Sweden at the 2011 U20 World Championship; scoring 1 goal with 3 assists and finishing with an even plus/minus in six games as Sweden finished fourth.

2011-12: In his second pro season with Brynas, Larsson won both a Swedish Elitserien championship and a gold medal at the 2012 U20 World Junior Championship. Larsson was Brynas' third-leading scorer during the regular season – scoring 12 goals with 24 assists in 49 games. Averaging 18:27 minutes per game, he was minus-ten with 34 penalty minutes. Brynas finished fourth during the season before its successful playoff run. Larsson scored 2 goals with 8 assists and was plus-six with 16 penalty minutes in 16 playoff games as Brynas captured the league title. He had 6 assists and was plus-three in six games for Sweden at the WJC. Sweden defeated Russia, 1-0, in overtime in the gold medal game.

 

Talent Analysis

Known as a hard-working, two-way player with a good eye for the game.

ISS: "Known as a very strong two-way player who has the ability to chip in offensively here and there...Larsson is a great team player who can do everything in every situation ..."

 

Future

Larsson is likely to play in North America this season, and could probably stand a year of AHL seasoning.

Larsson was dealt by the Minnesota Wild to the Buffalo Sabres at the 2013 NHL trade deadline in the deal that sent Jason Pominville to the Wild.

 

Minnesota Wild prospects saw limited post-season play in 2011-12

by Peter Prohaska
on

Photo: Forward Johan Larsson was impressive this season for Brynas IF Gavle, managing 36 points in 49 games. (Vincent Muzik/Icon SMI)

It was a tough postseason for the majority of the Wild's prospects. Another year out of the playoffs for the rebuilding Wild is testing the patience of the fans, though a promising youth movement is on the horizon.

Read more»

Strong rebuilding effort shows in Minnesota prospect awards

by Peter Prohaska
on
Photo: Matt Hackett has gradually over the past year to become one of the top goaltending prospects in all of hockey. (Photo courtesy of

Russell Lansford/Icon SMI)

Over the last several seasons the Minnesota Wild have filled their pipeline to the brim with highly regarded prospects; a strategy which is starting to pay early dividends at the NHL level. Below is the inaugural edition of the Wild's prospect awards.

Most Improved Prospect: Johan Gustafsson, G, Luleå HF (SEL)
Read more»

Minnesota Wild boast talented group of European and collegiate prospects

by Peter Prohaska
on
Photo: The 10th overall pick in the 2011 NHL draft, Jonas Brodin is among the many talented young players the Wild have drafted out of Europe. (Photo courtesy of Vincent Muzik/Icon SMI)

The Wild commenced a 'soft' rebuild on the day Chuck Fletcher took over for Doug Risebrough. The majority of Risebrough's prospects have been flushed, and a steady eye for the future has been in evidence. It hasn't been a 'scorched earth' rebuild, whether out of honor or overconfidence, and the team should rebound soon from a season where injuries exposed a lack of elite talent. Free agents and reclamation projects can only bring a franchise so far, and Fletcher's regime has brought a concerted effort toward finding talent to the draft board. The Wild has been preparing for several of the young men playing in the U.S. college ranks and in Europe to form the team's core going forward.

Mikael Granlund, C, HIFK (SM-Liiga)
Drafted 1st round, 9th overall, 2010
Read more»

Granlund continues reign as top prospect for Minnesota Wild

by Peter Prohaska
on
Photo: Drafted 28th overall, Zack Phillips came to Minnesota as part of the return in the Brent Burns trade. (Photo courtesy of Ken McKenna/HF)

Although Mikael Granlund remains the Wild's number one prospect, the depth for the Minnesota Wild continues to improve under Chuck Fletcher's watch. With the draft taking place on home turf, the Wild made a wise but somewhat surprising move to add another blue-chip defense prospect in Jonas Brodin. They then traded pending free agent Brent Burns for two prospects, Charlie Coyle and Zack Phillips, the latter selected with San Jose's first round pick. The addition of these players can only improve the long-term outlook of the franchise.

1. (1) Mikael Granlund, C, 8.0B
Drafted 1st Round, 9th overall, 2010
Read more»
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