Adam Larsson Thread Version: The Second One

[Oneiro]

The type of trade that makes the organization trade Larsson won't happen because it would be a hockey trade.

They'd be looking to get a leader and locker room changer back. Not just a prime goal scorer.

That's not Kessel and that's not Kane, although I like both guys in a complementary role on very deep teams. Which we're not.

 

[Unknown Caller]

But Kessel was always a dough boy going back to high school. That's just his body type and it doesn't interfere with his skating ability. If you want to rip on Kessel, he's not overly coachable.

I think Kessel will decline early as well. He'll wind up being like Sykora part 2 in his early to mid 30's imo.

 

[ForeverJerseyGirl]

But Kessel was always a dough boy going back to high school. That's just his body type and it doesn't interfere with his skating ability. If you want to rip on Kessel, he's not overly coachable.

I don't really want to rip on Kessel but I think the fact that he doesn't keep himself in shape will catch up to him at some point, and it's more than a body type thing. It's a not exercising and training to the extent a professional athlete should thing.

I just don't want him on this team especially at the expense of Larsson. I think he's at the root of a lot of the problems in Toronto because he isn't coachable and won't play both ends of the ice, so why would I want him as part of this franchise at the price of someone who could be the future of our blue line? Fortunately, I don't think he's the type of forward Lou would go after, either, so it's a moot point.

 

[Emperoreddy]

The type of trade that makes the organization trade Larsson won't happen because it would be a hockey trade.

They'd be looking to get a leader and locker room changer back. Not just a prime goal scorer.

That's not Kessel and that's not Kane, although I like both guys in a complementary role on very deep teams. Which we're not.

Kane for merrill can happen. There is enough potential there to make it worth it. That's the max though because of the risk. Even that might be a slight overpayment right now.

 

[Wilbur*]

Caught th game tonight. Larsson looked impressive but not perfect. Made a couple mistakes. He'd look a lot better with better forwards. And if he has a good work ethic (haven't followed him closely to know if he's a gym rat and sponge or not), he's going to be an absolute rock in his prime.

 

[JimEIV]

Caught th game tonight. Larsson looked impressive but not perfect.

You cannot be serious? He looked slow and overmatched from the drop of the puck.

 

[Wilbur*]

You cannot be serious? He looked slow and overmatched from the drop of the puck.

Serious. He and Greene were the best dmen tonight. Forwards hung them out to dry frequently. Plus Montreal is good, NJ is not.

 

[Devils86]

Larsson worst game since the coaching change, which is OK. With how the devils are trying to play there are going to be bad games

 

[JimEIV]

Serious. He and Greene were the best dmen tonight. Forwards hung them out to dry frequently. Plus Montreal is good, NJ is not.

This really was a poor game from Larsson. After Pacioretty blew by Larsson a few times the coaching staff tried to keep him away from that line, but it didn't matter he wasn't good tonight regardless who he was playing against. Coaches also tried to make sure Zajac, Elias and Havlat were out there as much as possible when Larsson was out there, good indication they felt he needed help tonight.

The cross ice pass in his own zone that led to a goal was all around horrible...that was the type of fundamental mistake that was getting him benched in the past.

 

[JimEIV]

Larsson worst game since the coaching change, which is OK. With how the devils are trying to play there are going to be bad games

Actually he was worse against the Rangers, not so great against Detroit and not so good against Montreal earlier all after the change.

 

[Peter Sidorkiewicz]

Larsson worst game since the coaching change, which is OK. With how the devils are trying to play there are going to be bad games

He looked tired tonight (so did most of the Devils bar 4th line). Maybe the huge jump in minutes each game is starting to take a toll. I would imagine his fitness is not great in that before has was playing around 10 minutes per game (sometimes less) and now he expected to play 20+ minutes. The body needs time to adapt for the regular increase in workload.

Adam probably needs a huge offseason to build up his cardio so he can last a full season with big minutes per night and not get burnt out.

 

[Devils Dominion]

Aside from the 4th line and Kinkaid, I don't think anyone played well, at all.

We could nitpick and pinpoint mistakes and gaffes by everyone.

 

[Hisch13r]

I don't really want to rip on Kessel but I think the fact that he doesn't keep himself in shape will catch up to him at some point, and it's more than a body type thing. It's a not exercising and training to the extent a professional athlete should thing.

I just don't want him on this team especially at the expense of Larsson. I think he's at the root of a lot of the problems in Toronto because he isn't coachable and won't play both ends of the ice, so why would I want him as part of this franchise at the price of someone who could be the future of our blue line? Fortunately, I don't think he's the type of forward Lou would go after, either, so it's a moot point.

The ignorance. He tested 3rd best in fitness tests at Leafs training camp

 

[JimEIV]

The ignorance. He tested 3rd best in fitness tests at Leafs training camp

So you're saying he was in shape 6 months ago when training camp started? Go to know.

 

[NJD Kula]

This really was a poor game from Larsson. After Pacioretty blew by Larsson a few times the coaching staff tried to keep him away from that line, but it didn't matter he wasn't good tonight regardless who he was playing against. Coaches also tried to make sure Zajac, Elias and Havlat were out there as much as possible when Larsson was out there, good indication they felt he needed help tonight.

The cross ice pass in his own zone that led to a goal was all around horrible...that was the type of fundamental mistake that was getting him benched in the past.

You speak as if you talked to the coaches during the game. You're inventing facts to support an anti-Larsson narrative. Why?

I'm going to call you out on this, complete fabrication that conveniently ignores that Andy Greene could be considered far worse tonight (or Merrill, or umm the entire team). Not only did he get beat a number of times but his lazy offensive zone pass that lead to a 2v1 was the most god awful play of the entire night. And magically Larsson was able to churn his way out of his cement shoes back to help make sure it wasn't a 2v0.

Why does discussion about Larsson still have to be separate from the rest of the team?

 

[Wingman77]

You speak as if you talked to the coaches during the game. You're inventing facts to support an anti-Larsson narrative. Why?

I'm going to call you out on this, complete fabrication that conveniently ignores that Andy Greene could be considered far worse tonight (or Merrill, or umm the entire team). Not only did he get beat a number of times but his lazy offensive zone pass that lead to a 2v1 was the most god awful play of the entire night. And magically Larsson was able to churn his way out of his cement shoes back to help make sure it wasn't a 2v0.

Why does discussion about Larsson still have to be separate from the rest of the team?

It is pretty easy to see when certain players or lines are put out against opposing team's certain players and lines. The play by play guys will even occasionally point it out as well.

Having the game on doesn't mean one is watching the game. There is a difference between watching the game and watching the puck.

I did not see last night's game, therefore I do not know how Larsson played, however if he were to struggle last night or any game for that matter, so what? No need for some to get defensive about it. It happens, just rebound and come back strong next game. People need to stop treating Larsson as a different player than anybody else.

 

[Wilbur*]

All I was saying is the whole team played poopy, but Larsson was the least-poopiest.

 

[Oneiro]

I'm as pro-Larsson (and anti-Pete in this case) as anyone, but the kid was horrible last night. Looked like the worst games he had under Pete.

Bad game against a good, fast shifty team. He'll bounce back. These are the games that will make him better or show him to be the average player we fear he might be.

I didn't see the two games before this, where all the fans were raving about him. In a way, I'm glad everyone got a little wake up call last night.

 

[Devilsfan992]

Very bad game by Larsson. Like I've said, he will get exposed by fast skaters. Not only that, but he was turning the puck over and not winning many board battles.

I really do hope this calms down our fanbase a bit. He'll be good, maybe great, but it'll take more than half a season. One thing I do know is he won't be a #1 defenseman next year like I've seen some devil fans claim. (That will be Greene for at least the next two years). Also hopefully comparisons to top ten defensemen stop until he proves it. Just my really honest opinion. He's definitely improving, but he's not as close as people are claiming.

And this isn't saying others didn't played bad. Greene had just as bad of a turnover and deflected in a goal against.

 

[glenwo2]

Look....this is the first time in like.....FOREVER that Adam is finally getting REGULAR minutes and not measley ones like he had with Pete.

He would've been developed by now if he wasn't jerked around like he was when Pete was healthy-scratching him and having him stashed in the minors 24/7.

I think by next season, he will improve his cardio and everything else to be better prepared for the Grind of playing 20+ minutes. Maybe he should follow Jagr around and see what he does to stay in shape...

 

[JimEIV]

Look....this is the first time in like.....FOREVER that Adam is finally getting REGULAR minutes and not measley ones like he had with Pete.

He would've been developed by now if he wasn't jerked around like he was when Pete was healthy-scratching him and having him stashed in the minors 24/7.

I think by next season, he will improve his cardio and everything else to be better prepared for the Grind of playing 20+ minutes. Maybe he should follow Jagr around and see what he does to stay in shape...

So you're saying it was his conditioning that caused him to have a bad game?

Don't get me wrong, a 22 year old is entitled to a rough game, it's all a part of the process, but let's not make up wacky reasons for the poor play.

If it's one game, it's no big deal as long as he bounces back and puts together another string of good games.

 

[Richer's Ghost]

All I was saying is the whole team played poopy, but Larsson was the least-poopiest.

Not really. And that giveaway passing to the slot that resulted in a goal was the grand daddy turd on top of the Zubrus and Fraser sundae.

It's fine to overlook a key mistake for the big picture progress, but you can't call a turd a cigar and hope nobody notices.

 

[Devilsfan992]

Wait did I miss something. Kinkaid actually saved Larsson after that errant pass.

 

[devilsblood]

Was Lars really that bad last night? I know he got burnt by pac, and made that poor pass that missed Zajac. But he also covered for Greene a couple times and still had a couple nice looks setting up team mates.

Not saying he had a great game, but I think this "horrible" game businesses is not accurate either.

 

[JK3]

This thread is getting a bit ridiculous. Every little play weather it's good or bad is being critiqued now every single game.

One good or bad play isn't going to make or break him or any other player for that matter. Everyone should take a step back and make assessments on his general play/trends over a block of games.