This is a repost of a repost of a post of what I said in Hendo's blog a couple of days ago. This will definitely help bring some light to the situation we have with Larsson (THE COMPLETE SITUATION).

Did a little bit more research on AL recently and believe it or not, he was used and depended on as a "QB" within the powerplay back when he was playing with his swedish team(s) as a youngster. Not only that, but he had a lot of time on the PP internationally and he succeeded to a high extend. He is also noted for a good shot from the point and elite passing. As for the skating rumors, his skating has come along since when he first started and he has taken great strides in inproving his transitional game via skating and positional play.

I looked even further and talked with a couple of friends who watch NJ or are a fan of a team within that division. Deboer and fellow minded coaches, aligned with the trap style of defensive play vastly limited Larsson's ability and development offensively. Last year was also a big step for him physically and responsibility wise. Here is a link that talk about the quarrels and thoughts between Deboer, the team, and Larsson and how significantly it affected his development, especially offensively.

http://bleacherreport.com...ersey-devils-upon-himself

Offensively and development wise, he began to turn the corner once Deboer was fired. The following links talks about Larsson's play with Deboer and once Deboer was fired and Scott Stevens + Adam Oates were hired, along with how it greatly impacted his offensive play (in a very good way).

http://njdab.com/articles...eakout-season-in-2015-16/

http://fireandice.northje...ved-offensively-1.1496747


Here is a link to Larsson's stats and hockey bio. Interestingly, he has won quite a few awards in his swedish league that are based on offensive stats. He was also named as one of the top 3 players for the top 3 player award in this year's world championships.

http://www.eliteprospects...m/player.php?player=10713

At first, the trade was a shocker for pretty much most of us. I'm not trying to defend the trade because we could/should have gotten more in return plus I'm a massive fan of Hall and what he did for us (Ironic how HallFan will probably have to change his name now) (a conditional 1st would have been interesting to add into the mix at least, especially considering the risks, development, and guarantees at hand).
Plus, if Lucic was also on top of Chia's priorities, a trade involving Pouliot and maybe RNH or eberle for instance would have made more sense.
Nonetheless, what happened happened. Nothing more or less than a bitter sweet move that imo was on its way.

chayka just figured out how to turn $1.5M in bonuses into a $1.376M caphit.

http://www.generalfanager.com/players/142
- Tumbleweed

I think more details will have to come out but I would suspect there will be extra cap money in subsequent years

What's your take on Bergivin and the Habs?
- WaterBoy

When Bergevin was first hired, I thought darn the Habs have a great GM. He did great on a few contract extensions but he has been underwhelming. I also don't understand why the Habs continuously trade their draft picks. That trade for Shaw when they had two high draft picks in the 2nd round was stupid in my mind. Subban will show in Laviolette's system just how good he really is.

As a Bruins fan, I love it.

Rask for Raycroft was never fine. It was a rookie GM trying to keep his job so he traded away the best goalie prospect in the world for a goalie who won rookie of the year in his first season and then was terrible in his second season.

If JF jr. wasn't a rookie GM afraid to lose his job - and instead a veteran, less reactionary GM was in place - the Leafs never would've traded Rask.
- Njuice

This is not actually true.

Long story short: the Leafs already had Pogge. At the time, he was a really good prospect. They had already signed him.

According to the rules of the CBA at the time, if Rask didn't sign within 2 years of being drafted, he would go back into the draft.

He wasn't going to sign and be behind Pogge.

It was the right move to trade Rask.

It was the wrong move to trade him for Raycroft.

When Bergevin was first hired, I thought darn the Habs have a great GM. He did great on a few contract extensions but he has been underwhelming. I also don't understand why the Habs continuously trade their draft picks. That trade for Shaw when they had two high draft picks in the 2nd round was stupid in my mind. Subban will show in Laviolette's system just how good he really is.

As a Bruins fan, I love it.
- Bruiniak

They traded Eller for two 2nd's in the same day.

Hockeybuzz should have a wall of shame for certain comments.
- Mr.FunFacts

There's one.


Habs talk

You probably won't have to worry about that.
- Garnie

I'll wager against anyone that the Bruins will make the playoffs. I'd put a lot of money on it. People will also realize just how underrated Backes really was in St-Louis.

Rask for Raycroft was never fine. It was a rookie GM trying to keep his job so he traded away the best goalie prospect in the world for a goalie who won rookie of the year in his first season and then was terrible in his second season.

If JF jr. wasn't a rookie GM afraid to lose his job - and instead a veteran, less reactionary GM was in place - the Leafs never would've traded Rask.
- Njuice

When Boston won it was all Tim Thomas. Rask was a better backup than a starter and way overpaid. But still a bad trade for the leafs.

I can't think of a worse 1 for 1 trade than Hall for Larsen. Anybody else?
- PugsNotDrugs

Forsberg for Erat

There's one.


Habs talk
- WaterBoy

g
Lmao lmao Oh dear god, how did I forget.

When Bergevin was first hired, I thought darn the Habs have a great GM. He did great on a few contract extensions but he has been underwhelming. I also don't understand why the Habs continuously trade their draft picks. That trade for Shaw when they had two high draft picks in the 2nd round was stupid in my mind. Subban will show in Laviolette's system just how good he really is.

As a Bruins fan, I love it.
- Bruiniak

What's your take on Timmins/Timmons?

They traded Eller for two 2nd's in the same day.
- Mr.FunFacts

From teams that are much better. They'll be picks that are in the 50s rather than the 30s in a draft that is not even close to being as good.

I'll wager against anyone that the Bruins will make the playoffs. I'd put a lot of money on it. People will also realize just how underrated Backes really was in St-Louis.
- Bruiniak

You need to take your Boston goggles off.

yes we watched them last year James we know they (frank)ing suck, you're not going out on much of a limb there
- DoubleDown

How could Montreal be on the decline if Price is recovered.

I am not sure that core is on a path to a cup, but to say they are declining seems foolish.

I think more details will have to come out but I would suspect there will be extra cap money in subsequent years
- YuenglingJagr

We'll see.


If not, other GM's wil try to amplify the effect with bigger dollars spread over more years.

I'll wager against anyone that the Bruins will make the playoffs. I'd put a lot of money on it. People will also realize just how underrated Backes really was in St-Louis.
- Bruiniak

i'll wager you swallow your tongue long before that bet gets decided

I'll wager against anyone that the Bruins will make the playoffs. I'd put a lot of money on it. People will also realize just how underrated Backes really was in St-Louis.
- Bruiniak

How much did you lose the last two years??

i'll wager you swallow your tongue long before that bet gets decided
- DoubleDown

PM me your email. We'll set a wager.

There's one.


Habs talk
- WaterBoy

When Bergevin was first hired, I thought darn the Habs have a great GM. He did great on a few contract extensions but he has been underwhelming. I also don't understand why the Habs continuously trade their draft picks. That trade for Shaw when they had two high draft picks in the 2nd round was stupid in my mind. Subban will show in Laviolette's system just how good he really is.

As a Bruins fan, I love it.
- Bruiniak

Reason they traded draft picks is only because they have a window of about 2 years to push for the cup before Price and Pac will negotiate new contracts. They are under short term pressure. This explains Weber, this explains Shaw and Radulov to a certain extent. Yes, Subban will thrive in Nashville 4 sure; Weber will thrive with the Habs current system as well. I wouldn't love it too much, Weber will look after Marchand going forward...

From teams that are much better. They'll be picks that are in the 50s rather than the 30s in a draft that is not even close to being as good.
- Bruiniak

But they added Shaw thought it was a good move. Guess not.

How could Montreal be on the decline if Price is recovered.

I am not sure that core is on a path to a cup, but to say they are declining seems foolish.
- Aetherial

10th youngest team in the NHL. DECLINE!
Gallagher, Galchenyuk, Sergachev, Patches, Beaulieu Shaw and Danault make up for the core of the team with Price.

Not bad for a team on the decline.

PM me your email. We'll set a wager.
- Bruiniak

Click on PM below his name...

- Aetherial

This is not actually true.

Long story short: the Leafs already had Pogge. At the time, he was a really good prospect. They had already signed him.

According to the rules of the CBA at the time, if Rask didn't sign within 2 years of being drafted, he would go back into the draft.

He wasn't going to sign and be behind Pogge.

It was the right move to trade Rask.

It was the wrong move to trade him for Raycroft.
- Atomic Wedgie

Rask was never behind Pogge. He was always way ahead of Pogge. In the world juniors the shortly before he was traded Rask won tournament MVP for Finland who finished with Silver - losing to Canada and Pogge. But it was very obvious that Rask was a much better goalie.