January 31, 2012
Progress report
Devils rookie defenseman Larsson has justified his high draft selection, and now has observers wondering about his ceiling
by David Kolb/Correspondent
Adam Larsson (photo: Getty)
NEWARK, N.J. -- Florida Panthers general manager Dale Tallon stepped to the podium at the 2011 NHL Entry Draft in St. Paul, Minn., and promptly announced the third overall pick:
"The Florida Panthers are proud to select, from the Saint John Sea Dogs, Jonathan Huberdeau."
Instantly, the New Jersey Devils knew they would get their man.
Originally slotted to draft eighth overall, the Devils won the draft lottery and were able to move to fourth position, since teams can't climb more than four slots.
Their selection? Swedish defenseman Adam Larsson.
The reaction? A home run.
Outside the Prudential Center in downtown Newark, Devils fans assembled for a draft party cheered as if their candidate had won a presidential election.
It was clear to the rooters that, some 20 years after selecting Scott Niedermayer, the Devils had a winner with the potential to be the next franchise defenseman.
Whether or not he will be the equal to Niedermayer, who was just honored by having his number retired, is a moot point. What matters is that the Garden State skaters need a marquee defenseman badly.
Respected hockey analyst Pierre McGuire was instantly enthused about the Devils pick: "At four," McGuire told his audience, "this kid is the steal of the draft."
So, the expectations were high for Larsson entering his first NHL training camp.
In the Swedish elite league, and in two World Junior Championships, Larsson showed exceptional poise, the ability to defend, leadership and, most importantly, the ability to transition from defense to offense. No Devil has excelled with that blend of assets since free agency sent Brian Rafalski to the Detroit Red Wings in 2007.
Asked after the draft who he models his game after, the composed youngster didn't hesitate: "Nik Lidstrom," he said.
Larsson, who was mentored by another former Devils stalwart, Scott Stevens, during the team's rookie camp, soaked up whatever the Hall of Famer offered. "I asked him for some tips, and of course I listened to every single word he said," he said.
Eight weeks later, Larsson began skating with veterans at the Devils training camp, looking right at home next to the more experienced players. The next question was exhibition games? And the answer came quickly. The big kid was poised with the puck and made decisions instinctively. He not only looked like he belonged, but he also displayed veteran poise.
In a Sept. 23 preseason game against the archrival Rangers, Larsson made the Devils look like a gem. Brad Richards had scored the Blueshirts' first goal by inadvertently banking the puck off Larsson's skate and into the net. However, Larsson remained composed and continued to play well.
"I told him not to worry about it; it's no big deal," said Devils goalie Martin Brodeur, the future Hall of Famer. "It's going to happen a few more times in his career."
In the second period, Larsson helped set up an Ilya Kovalchuk power play goal, tying the score. He later set up Kovalchuk again for an apparent goal, but it was disallowed because forward Nick Palmieri (Utica, N.Y.) was in the crease.
"In the first exhibition game, he passed to (Petr) Sykora the same way," Kovalchuk pointed out. "We were actually working on it in practice."
"He has really impressed our coaching staff with his poise, especially at his position," said Devils coach Peter DeBoer. "Adam hasn't had any bumps. We're very happy with him."
Needless to say, the 18-year-old made the team when the season began. Proof positive was that Lamoriello issued him the No. 5 jersey, not a double-digit ID that would indicate he might not be around more than a month.
"You can tell he's going to be a very good defenseman in this league for a very long time," said defense partner Andy Greene. "He doesn't put that extra pressure on himself."
Larsson became one of only a few 18-year old NHL defensemen to score a goal. One day before his 19th birthday, he blasted one past Capitals goalie Tomas Vokoun. On a team that stood 21-16-2 in early January, he had two goals and 11 assists for 13 points.
Reflecting on life in New Jersey and the NHL, Larsson said, "My life was pretty much the same in Sweden, but I'm living in a better apartment; the flights and everything are so professional."
Typically, a rookie lives in a veteran's home or becomes a roommate with another young member of his team, but not Larsson. He lives alone.
"That was what I wanted to do. I have my own apartment back home in Sweden, so I'm kind of used to it," he said.
Nearing the halfway mark of the season, he looks like a keeper but is only on his first rung to stardom.
"No one knows just how good he could potentially be," said MSG Network analyst Glenn (Chico) Resch. "Just from talking to him, however, I can tell he has tremendous drive to rise to the top. He wants to be really good. Defensively and passing-wise, he could be one of the best. He knows how to angle a player off. His angling and ability to take away passes is great."
But like other critics, Resch raises questions:
"What kind of shot will he develop and to what degree?" he said. "Is he going to have a blast from the point? Is he going to have a quick, accurate shot?"
If the answers are all affirmative, the kid could be a franchise defenseman for more than a decade. At some point he may even become captain like Niedermayer did.
"Personality-wise, I'm curious to see if he's willing to step into the limelight," said Resch. "Scott Niedermayer was reluctant to do it but he did it. We don't know if Larsson will be willing to do it."
Larsson did get an unexpected break last month, flying home to Sweden shortly before Christmas to attend the funeral of his grandmother.
"He was very close to his grandmother and we respect that he wants to go home for his family," GM Lou Lamoriello said.
"It will be nice to go home and reload a little," said Larsson before he left.
It should be a much-needed rest, as he -- along with most European youngsters -- never come close to playing 80-plus games in a season.
However, judging by Larsson's demeanor so far, and the ceilings others are projecting for him, his play suggests that he's another All-Star in the making.
David Kolb can be reached at feedback@nyhockeyjournal.com.
DEVILS NOTES
When the Devils signed both Eric Boulton and Cam Janssen, the thinking was that one or the other would make the team; why have two enforcers? What's happened is both have shown their worth and even played on the same (fourth) line to advantage. "Cam has really advanced as a player," said coach Peter DeBoer. "He plays a smart game and adds plenty of energy." And, as most NHLers have learned, both still know how to fight. ...
Every team has a "find" -- some player who unexpectedly steps in without fuss and fanfare and makes a name for himself -- and the Devils' candidate this season is Adam Henrique. With top centers Travis Zajac and Jacob Josefson both sidelined from the start of the season through mid-December, Henrique has been a splendid replacement; his 8-17-25 scoring totals tied for third on the team and good enough to be placed between Zach Parise and Ilya Kovalchuk.
-- DAVID KOLB
