Player Discussion: Phillip Larsen

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So the thread is a bit negative understandably since it is a Benning pick throwaway as per usual. However, IMO Larsen is actually a legitimately good defenseman, who fits our team next year.

Basically, imagine if Matt Bartkowski knew how to play defense, and you're getting close to Larsen. Plus, he's a RH shot, who should be good on the 3rd pairing at minimum so we won't have half our D out of position.

He's got great speed, is smart, and reliable defensively (although not a crease clearer at all, more in the Hamhuis mold).

Videos:

Larsen's speed on display:


A rare hit, usually he's on the receiving end:


Some Gully quotes and breakdown of Larsen's play in his first full season:


No clue how he's been in Europe, but he is a player I liked when he was in the NHL.

Click to read more...

 

[PM]

Everything I've heard about this guy is that he can't play defense.

 

[Tiranis]

I don't buy the "can play defense" bit. I just don't. It's been a while but I didn't think he was good at it but in particular I remember him heavily struggling with NHL-level forecheck.

 

[Tinhorn1]

Everything I've heard about this guy is that he can't play defense.

Technically not true, as I assume you read the OP.

 

[ihaveyuidonttouchme]

Technically not true, as I assume you read the OP.

anything better than Bart is good? well hopefully!

 

[arttk]

anything better than Bart is good? well hopefully!

The genius of the Bart signing.
When you have probably the 2nd worst dman in the NHL, anyone you acquire instantly becomes a better option.

 

[StrictlyCommercial]

I don't buy the "can play defense" bit. I just don't. It's been a while but I didn't think he was good at it but in particular I remember him heavily struggling with NHL-level forecheck.

Agreed on that. His biggest weakness is physical play. He definitely struggles against heavier players, but that doesn't mean he's bad. Tanev struggled against the forecheck early on but was still a good defensive player for example.

 

[LickTheEnvelope]

Weber 2.0. Big meh from me.

 

[VanJack]

Another six foot and 183 pound d-man who'll get rag-dolled by Getzlaf and Kopitar in the Western Conference.....for a guy who supposedly values 'meat and potatoes', Jimbo seems to be loading up on sushi blueliners.

 

[arttk]

Agreed on that. His biggest weakness is physical play. He definitely struggles against heavier players, but that doesn't mean he's bad. Tanev struggled against the forecheck early on but was still a good defensive player for example.

Tanev only suffered in the sense he was beat up physically. He was still able to play really good defense despite of that.

 

[arttk]

Another six foot and 183 pound d-man who'll get rag-dolled by Getzlaf and Kopitar in the Western Conference.....for a guy who supposedly values 'meat and potatoes', Jimbo seems to be loading up on sushi blueliners.

He never mentioned what cut of meat he likes. /s

 

[WhiteCurse]

Rather have Corrado and a 5th

 

[Verviticus]

I don't buy the "can play defense" bit. I just don't. It's been a while but I didn't think he was good at it but in particular I remember him heavily struggling with NHL-level forecheck.

any attempt at quantifying what he does suggests that he is a complete failure of an nhl defenceman

 

[Billy Kvcmu]

Everything I've heard about this guy is that he can't play defense.

Well, he previously played for two teams in the NHL.
Dallas star, like the one before 2012.
Oilers....oh well
I won't judge his defensive ability base on those days.

 

[Verviticus]

Technically not true, as I assume you read the OP.

seems like a trivial jump to assume he meant "until this post"

Weber 2.0. Big meh from me.

he is unlikely to be as impactful as weber. think weber, but doesn't push play

 

[Billy Kvcmu]

seems like a trivial jump to assume he meant "until this post"



he is unlikely to be as impactful as weber. think weber, but doesn't push play

Nope, he does push plays and is actually bigger than Weber.
So many a slightly better Yanick Weber is what I'll expect.

 

[Tinhorn1]

seems like a trivial jump to assume he meant "until this post"

It was meant as a joke, albeit one that isn't funny at all.

 

[Phenomenon13]

Is this guy going to be better than Corrado???

 

[Tiranis]

Is this guy going to be better than Corrado???

Probably not but that's because Corrado will very soon be a regular top 4 guy. If Larsen can be a bottom pairing defenseman better than Weber & Bartkowski then this will be a success.

 

[StrictlyCommercial]

any attempt at quantifying what he does suggests that he is a complete failure of an nhl defenceman

Care to quantify it then? I assume you mean his advanced stats in Edmonton and Dallas? Here's a stat: he has consistently benefited from one of the highest on ice SV%'s of anyone on his team. Do you think that's because goalies are better when he's on the ice, or because he's better at limiting high quality scoring chances than his peers in EDM and DAL?

 

[biturbo19]

Agreed on that. His biggest weakness is physical play. He definitely struggles against heavier players, but that doesn't mean he's bad. Tanev struggled against the forecheck early on but was still a good defensive player for example.

Yeah, i think that's the biggest thing i recall from Larsen's previous time in the NHL. Some talent and potential, but physically just not strong enough to compete.

If he's managed to rectify that at all between his last stint and training camp in October...maybe there's an NHL defenceman in there? Would have to defer to people who actually watch the KHL for that though...

 

[CherryToke]

Is this guy going to be better than Corrado???

He's got better connections to management than Corrado. that's all that really matters.

 

[Phenomenon13]

He's got better connections to management than Corrado. that's all that really matters.

LOL Chiarelli recommended him to Benning?

 

[Tiranis]

Here's a stat: he has consistently benefited from one of the highest on ice SV%'s of anyone on his team. Do you think that's because goalies are better when he's on the ice, or because he's better at limiting high quality scoring chances than his peers in EDM and DAL?

Yes. It's all luck. There are literally a million articles around on the fact that players' on-ice Sv% is not repeatable. Considering his NHL career totalled about 1700 ES minutes, it's hardly enough to conclude that he has cracked some secret to increasing his goalies' Sv% that no one else has.

First one I found: http://www.broadstreethockey.com/2013/7/4/4487304/save-percentage-variability-regression-defense

 

[CherryToke]

LOL Chiarelli recommended him to Benning?

He played for Glen Gulutzan in Dallas.