Jacob Larsson - ANA

[bergman]

Larsson has been up with Anaheim, played about 15 min the other night and spent time on the PP. apparently Carlyle has been impressed. Realizing Lindholm is still unsigned, you'd think maybe they're just filling his roster spot. But why wouldn't they do that with a highly-regarded prospect like Theodore or Montour? Just wondering what people's thoughts are on Larsson being up and his prospect status in general.

[Jouko-Pouko]

I think they're keeping him because they cannot send him to the AHL, he would go back to Sweden. They probably want to give Theodore and Montour more seasoning in the AHL. So I think it's mostly situation based but of course it wouldn't be happening if Larsson wasn't pretty much NHL ready. The three players mentioned here will probably all fight for the same spots in Anaheim next year.

Just really difficult to see Larsson being used in offensive role with Vatanen, Lindholm/Fowler (one of them is likely gone), and Theodore and Montour ahead with better offensive skill-set. On a different team, Larsson would be a really interesting prospect.

[bergman]

So is he back to Sweden when Lindholm starts playing again? Even though he can't be sent to the AHL, he'll either have to sit a ton or be sent back to Sweden when Lindholm gets back. So why not just send him back now and give the bigger name prospects some NHL time? I'm thinking it must be because they like what they see in Larsson and think he's developed all he can in Sweden, or they want a longer look at him.

[Axeman33]

I think they're keeping him because they cannot send him to the AHL, he would go back to Sweden. They probably want to give Theodore and Montour more seasoning in the AHL. So I think it's mostly situation based but of course it wouldn't be happening if Larsson wasn't pretty much NHL ready. The three players mentioned here will probably all fight for the same spots in Anaheim next year.

Just really difficult to see Larsson being used in offensive role with Vatanen, Lindholm/Fowler (one of them is likely gone), and Theodore and Montour ahead with better offensive skill-set. On a different team, Larsson would be a really interesting prospect.

Why can't he be sent to the AHL? He didn't play CHL hockey and he even played one game last year in the AHL playoffs.

[Jouko-Pouko]

Why can't he be sent to the AHL? He didn't play CHL hockey and he even played one game last year in the AHL playoffs.

It's very common for European players to have a clause in their contract that they will either stay in the NHL or they're sent back to Europe. Artturi Lehkonen had that clause as well.

[Axeman33]

It's very common for European players to have a clause in their contract that they will either stay in the NHL or they're sent back to Europe. Artturi Lehkonen had that clause as well.

Gotcha, but technically, he COULD be sent to the AHL if they wanted to, right?

[bergman]

http://www.dailynews.com/sports/2016...-randy-carlyle

"Larsson has said if he didn't make the team, he'd likely go back to Sweden and play the year there."

Carlyle: "His puck-moving ability, his defensive ability separated him from other people. Simple as that."

[Jouko-Pouko]

Gotcha, but technically, he COULD be sent to the AHL if they wanted to, right?

Actually, I think the clause is in his SHL contract. Anyways, if it's in the contract, then the NHL team cannot break it without approval from the player.

[Crazy Joe Davola]

Like others have said, a very interesting prospect that will likely find his way back to the SHL at some point this season. More of a two-way defender.

Tryamkin is another example of a guy who will head back to the KHL if sent down rather to the AHL. It's interesting with him as he's the 7th D in Vancouver so they're flirting with hindering his development a bit by holding him up but not playing him, simply because he won't go to Utica.