Larsson is a guy who will play on your 2nd PP unit and can do a lot of things, not outstanding offensive skills.
I understand that its hard for Bob M and co to get a great read on
Adam Larsson, he played all of the WJC's with a sore groin and they do not see him on a regular basis -- but he will certainly become more then a 2nd PP unit guy offensively.
I agree that Larsson do not have outstanding offensive abilities -- for a top 3 draft pick. He is not even as flashy as Jack Johnson. Especially his register isn't that wide.
But he has a ton of quality in everything he does. He has lateral movement (although he doesn't dance along the blueline like say a Brian Leetch in his prime). His shot is very good, and he can use it in all situations. He reads the game well and makes a strong first pass.
He is also strong physically, he has the -- pretty unusual ability for a 17 y/o -- to lay out world class hits against pro's, something that he undoubtedly will build on when he grows stronger.
When Adam Larsson was labled as almost a sure-fire nr 1 pick for this draft a year ago I've several times questioned if that was the case:
http://hfboards.com/showpost.php?p=24353061&postcount=42
Whats so amazing with Adam Larsson is not the unique abilitys he is showing, whats unique about him is how good he is at such a young age.
Now, just to put in a reminder, players like him tends to fall as other catch up.
If Adam Larsson was 2 years older, and "only" as good as he is right now -- I still think he would go like top 10-15. He is that good, and natrually will never (unlike he likes break a leg) fall more then that.
But I still wonder if he will be top 2 in in the summer of 2011. I don't think its a given.
I just don't think he have any "elite" ability, not at the level most top 2 picks have. Like Hedman was 6'7. Larsson isn't a elite elite skater. He doesn't have elite hockeysense. He is 6'2, not 6'4. Normally, players without that "elite" ability goes like 4th overall, not 1st overall. With that said, he sure have elite potential.
What he have is a great ability to work a PP. He is extremely mature for his age. He can move the puck laterally, and he have a really good shot. He is physical. He can take the body. He plays a heads up game. He makes a good first pass. I would bet a lot on that he will become a Nr 1 D in the NHL, he have all it takes. But I have not seen that typical franchise player potential yet, that most 1st overallers have.
But I wouldn't be shocked if he didn't go 1st overall in 2011.
And as always, when things turn they tend to go overboard. He have now gone from being labled as the next Nik Lidström to being labled the next Edler or something.
You never know, but I have a hard time seing Adam Larsson not becoming a very solid top 20-25 D in the NHL. And when it comes to D's, most is about putting everything together (look at Letang for example), and if Larsson does that, nothing would hold him back. He is good at everything, D's like him just do not grow on trees.
I think its very misleading to label him as a "2nd unit PP guy" offensively. He won't be the guy you build a top 3 PP in the NHL around, but he is the type who you could give a role on a top 3 PP and he wouldn't hurt it.