Guest Writer: Is Adam Larsson A Top Pairing D Man?

Wish the Leafs had an Adam Larsson.

He was missed terribly in NJ.

No.

I think Larsson's best comparable is Hjalmarsson. A good #3 who can step in at times to be a #2 but that's it.

Guest Writer: Is Adam Larsson A Top Pairing D Man?
- Eklund

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.

There are now 62 top pair defenders in the league. If he is among those 62 then yes, he is a top pairing defenseman. Is that too simple? Probably, but i don't think anyone could name 62 guys that are better than him.

Lord Larsson is whatever we believe him to be.

He's an elite 3/4 and not too out of place on a 1/2. On a good team he's 2nd paring though.

Lord Larsson is whatever we believe him to be.
- SRam19

Frankly I was a little taken aback that Freelancer dared attempt to label our Lord. However he did not slander so I decided to let it slide.

Guest Writer: Is Adam Larsson A Top Pairing D Man?
- Eklund

If you put him on the Top Pair, yes.

Frankly I was a little taken aback that Freelancer dared attempt to label our Lord. However he did not slander so I decided to let it slide.
- Wildschwein

When Hendo is off his trampoline he can spout some words of wisdom.

Edit. Just realized this is some random who wrote this article.

When Hendo is off his trampoline he can spout some words of wisdom.

Edit. Just realized this is some random who wrote this article.
- SRam19

I would be curious to get Hendos take on this topic. I probably wouldn't agree with him, but it would be interesting nonetheless.

I would be curious to get Hendos take on this topic. I probably wouldn't agree with him, but it would be interesting nonetheless.
- Wildschwein

Pretty sure that Hendo and at least three other wannabe bloggers have already written the same blog at least once.

Pretty sure that Hendo and at least three other wannabe bloggers have already written the same blog at least once.
- leonkennedy

The only blog I remember Hendo writing was prior to the season and before Larsson had actually played a game for the Oil.
Curious to see if his position has changed any.

He's an elite 3/4 and not too out of place on a 1/2. On a good team he's 2nd paring though.
- halo63

Breaking news....


He's on a good team!

The only blog I remember Hendo writing was prior to the season and before Larsson had actually played a game for the Oil.
Curious to see if his position has changed any.
- Wildschwein

I think it's recycled from the myhockeybuzz section. I think even JB has wrote a pretend blog on the topic.

I think it's recycled from the myhockeybuzz section. I think even JB has wrote a pretend blog on the topic.
- leonkennedy

Even JB? I can only imagine how that went.

He's a top pair on at least 10-15 of the teams in the league, including NJ and Edmonton.

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.

Breaking news....


He's on a good team!



- robin_steele264

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

That's a fair argument. The top pair in general needs to accomplish a few things. They play the most minutes, need to limit the goals against and be able to produce themselves. Larsson and Klefbom together accomplish that. I would like to see the team invest in one more right shot puck mover.

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!

That is EXACTLY my take as well Bingo. A very decent #2, a REAL good #3.

That's a fair argument. The top pair in general needs to accomplish a few things. They play the most minutes, need to limit the goals against and be able to produce themselves. Larsson and Klefbom together accomplish that. I would like to see the team invest in one more right shot puck mover.
- freelancer

Everybody is looking for those.....

Faulk, Stempniak, 1st for Draisaitl and Fayne

That is EXACTLY my take as well Bingo. A very decent #2, a REAL good #3.


- hawk35

A fair assessment, but like Smelly said, on half the teams in the league right now that puts him as a top pair guy. Hard to argue that he isn't, when he played the role well for an entire season and didn't look out of place at all, on a team that pushed hard into the second round of the playoffs. What we need is a betterthanrussel option for the second pair.