The thing with Larsson is that he has barely played any powerplay time. AVG of 0:11 seconds of PP per game. http://www.rotowire.com/hockey/player.htm?id=3744 Not only that, but from the eye test, he ALMOST always follows up Klefbom on the attack which seems to suggest a certain strategy in place within that pairing.

With Sekera injured, a spot on one of the PP units is open until December. I would like to see McLellan look at internal options for filling that spot up. One prime target should be Larsson. Right shot, was utilized as a PP specialist back in the Swedish leagues and on International Ice; succeeded in both (His time in NJ seemed to affect his play style). If he succeeds, coupled with the possible emergence of Nurse as an effective top 4 defender, we could see Sekera being the odd man out if the cap space gap gets too tight.

He also seems to be the defensive pillar that Klefbom leans on in defensive situations which isn't bad at all, however, it does limit Larsson availability to provide offense as well. Klefbom has recognized Larsson's presence of stability defensively and has stated it over the media multiple times. All in all, I think Larsson has more to offer but after watching him play one season with Edmonton, I now truly don't think he is capable of cracking the 40 point barrier (his mindset is more defensively based, which is okay). If given PP time and if Klefbom allows Larsson to lead the offense from the Blueline more often, we could see him in the 30-40 point range.

We were a top ten team and he was top pairing
- LittleRickyV2

That depends so much on the make-up of the team. Heck, on the Letang-less Cup winning Pens, he would have arguably been the TOP #1 defenceman on the entire team!!!! Yet, on the Cup losing Preds, MAYBE just the #4 or #5.....just so different team to team!

That depends so much on the make-up of the team. Heck, on the Letang-less Cup winning Pens, he would have arguably been the TOP #1 defenceman on the entire team!!!! Yet, on the Cup losing Preds, MAYBE just the #4 or #5.....just so different team to team!


- hawk35

Good point

Really though, who wouldn't?
- Wildschwein

Who wouldn't (frank) her... or who wouldn't be ecstatic to know that I'd (frank) them?

Who wouldn't (frank) her... or who wouldn't be ecstatic to know that I'd (frank) them?
- laughs2907

Can't it be both?

That depends so much on the make-up of the team. Heck, on the Letang-less Cup winning Pens, he would have arguably been the TOP #1 defenceman on the entire team!!!! Yet, on the Cup losing Preds, MAYBE just the #4 or #5.....just so different team to team!


- hawk35

No Johanssen hurt a ton. Crosby & Malkin.
Apples n oranges comparison.

That depends so much on the make-up of the team. Heck, on the Letang-less Cup winning Pens, he would have arguably been the TOP #1 defenceman on the entire team!!!! Yet, on the Cup losing Preds, MAYBE just the #4 or #5.....just so different team to team!


- hawk35

Preds woulda been 16-0 with Larsson


Then 82-0

Then 16-0 again.

Repeat until the end of time.

No

No
- Otiss

Kindly go bugger yourself with a red hot poker, danke.

Depends on your definition... He can probably play those minutes and be reasonably effective, but given the level of impact he has on a game, I don't know that you want him there.

Adequate #2, real nice #3.
- BINGO!

Mostly This

Be great to have him as a 3, but he can pass as a 2. More importantly, partly due to some of the intangibles he has to insulate klefbom and punish forwards, him and klefbom are a solid top pair. I'm actually quite comfortable with them there.
The second pairing is a mess unless one of those kids steps up. Russel is lost without sekera

Can't it be both?
- Wildschwein

Still waiting for a certain lady boy lover to come in and chirp The Lordssons game.

And lose 4-1sts but Oilers sign him anyways & Francis gets blackballed.
Not happening.
- Nighthawk

It's only 4 1sts if the offer is above 9.4 million. It's two 1sts, a 2nd and a 3rd in the tier below that.

Not sure the league would blackball Francis for offer sheeting a team that already messed up two good teams with offer sheets. The Western Conference would be relieved to have him gone.

Isn't the rumour that Chia was preparing to offer sheet Dougie and the Flames gave a competing/better offer?

It's only 4 1sts if the offer is above 9.4 million. It's two 1sts, a 2nd and a 3rd in the tier below that.

Not sure the league would blackball Francis for offer sheeting a team that already messed up two good teams with offer sheets. The Western Conference would be relieved to have him gone.

Isn't the rumour that Chia was preparing to offer sheet Dougie and the Flames gave a competing/better offer?
- fry

First off, I believe the threshold is 9.8 something.

Second, you seem to have missed the month we spent covering this, but compensation on an offer sheet over 5 years is based on the total value of the contract over all the years divided by 5.

As Drai seems to want long term security, they'd likely have to offer 7 years which would mean 9.8 x 7 = 68.6 which when divided by 5 comes to an average of 13.72mil- WELL into four 1st territory. To get out of the four 1st compensation range, they'd need to convince Drai to sign s deal in the 6.8x7 range which would be doing the Oilers a favour and make for an easy matching.

So no, it's not quite that easy.

It's only 4 1sts if the offer is above 9.4 million. It's two 1sts, a 2nd and a 3rd in the tier below that.

Not sure the league would blackball Francis for offer sheeting a team that already messed up two good teams with offer sheets. The Western Conference would be relieved to have him gone.

Isn't the rumour that Chia was preparing to offer sheet Dougie and the Flames gave a competing/better offer?
- fry

It's not that simple...

This rule is often forgotten:
AAV – dividing the total compensation offered by the lesser of the length of the contract or by 5. Ie. a seven-year, $49 million deal has an AAV of $9.8 million ($49 divide by 5) but a salary cap hit of $7 million … A five-year, $35 million deal would have a $7 million AAV and cap hit … A big difference in draft pick compensation.

It's not that simple...

This rule is often forgotten:
AAV – dividing the total compensation offered by the lesser of the length of the contract or by 5. Ie. a seven-year, $49 million deal has an AAV of $9.8 million ($49 divide by 5) but a salary cap hit of $7 million … A five-year, $35 million deal would have a $7 million AAV and cap hit … A big difference in draft pick compensation.
- 21peter

Suck it, I beat you

First off, I believe the threshold is 9.8 something.

Second, you seem to have missed the month we spent covering this, but compensation on an offer sheet over 5 years is based on the total value of the contract over all the years divided by 5.

As Drai seems to want long term security, they'd likely have to offer 7 years which would mean 9.8 x 7 = 68.6 which when divided by 5 comes to an average of 13.72mil- WELL into four 1st territory. To get out of the four 1st compensation range, they'd need to convince Drai to sign a 7x7 deal which would be doing the Oilers a favour and make for an easy matching.

So no, it's not quite that easy.
- MaximumBone

You beat me to it

Suck it, I beat you
- MaximumBone

- 21peter

It's not that simple...

This rule is often forgotten:
AAV – dividing the total compensation offered by the lesser of the length of the contract or by 5. Ie. a seven-year, $49 million deal has an AAV of $9.8 million ($49 divide by 5) but a salary cap hit of $7 million … A five-year, $35 million deal would have a $7 million AAV and cap hit … A big difference in draft pick compensation.
- 21peter

Definitely wasnt aware of that rule! Thanks!

So 9.4x5 and he's a 26 year old UFA looking at a massive 7 year deal after? Has to be a few teams willing to give 11x7 for Draisatl aged 26-33.

Sounds decent career wise..

Yes he is a top pairing defenseman.

Yes he is a top pairing defenseman on a team robbed of going to a conference final.

That questions has an absolutely obvious answer based off his performance last year.

For me Larsson is Edmonton's up and coming version of Marc Edouard Vlassic. Elite shutdown defender. Certainly under rated by many.

His play last year was as a rock solid #2 on damn near any team on the NHL. His chemistry with Klefbom made them a true solid top pairing.

Still young and constantly improving. Hope his offense comes around so that he is considered a true #1 eventually. Certainly isn't outside the realm of possibility.

At his worst over the last couple seasons he is a #2/3 guy on most teams.
- Aerchon

Still crying, eh?

Still crying, eh?
- Squilliam-

Where the (frank) is Saarela?!
- MaximumBone

I keep forgetting he exists... Dude probably makes the team this year.

Good chance he plays LW.

Risk?
A proven stud C.
PJ a 1st pick with cost control. Big strong & young.
Skinner 1 hit away from lala land again.
Two sides to the coin bro but give nothing get nothing.
- Nighthawk

This!

Good blog.

I think it all depends on a persons definition of top pair defender. IMO a defenders job, first and foremost, is to defend. Points produced should not be the focus but rather viewed as a bonus. Under that definition Larsson fits the bill and that is how I view him. Others will obviously disagree and that's to be expected.
- Wildschwein

pffft.

Defensemen don't even need to know how to find their team's defensive zone.

Love,
Senators Fans