Adam Larsson

Larsson is a hard-scrabble defender who takes on the best opposing forwards (and usually wins). He blocks more than 100 shots a season and lays more than 200 hits, and that combo sets him up for multicategory success. But he's not going to help in standard formats or those that emphasize offense. Larsson will anchor the Kraken's blue line after leaving the Oilers in free agency to get the fresh start he's looking for.

Larsson lost a large chunk of 2019-20 to a broken fibula that cost him roughly six weeks. The Swede then had a relatively poor season with just six points in 49 appearances. He saw just 19:50 per game -- he hadn't seen such low ice time since 2013-14 with the Devils. Larsson still provided a solid physical edge with 112 hits and 82 blocked shots, but that heavy playing style makes him a big injury risk with little offensive upside. The 28-year-old Larsson will probably fill a bottom-pairing role in the upcoming campaign, so it would be a shock to see much more than 15 points from him, although he may still have some value in deeper formats due to his formidable non-counting stats.

Larsson, much like his team, had an underwhelming 2018-19 campaign. The Swedish blueliner collected just 20 points a season ago and finished with the fourth-worst plus/minus in the league (minus-28). Since Edmonton acquired Larsson in the deal that sent Taylor Hall to New Jersey, the 26-year-old has played a ton of minutes for the Oilers but has disappointed in the offensive department with 52 points in 224 contests. Expected to once again log heavy minutes on Edmonton's blue line in 2019-20, the potential is there for Larsson to be a factor in fantasy this upcoming season, but don't go reaching for him on draft day.

The brawny Swede fashioned 13 points in 2017-18. As one of the top defenseman in Edmonton, Larsson's heavy role -- he averaged 21:56 of ice time last season -- increases his chances of contributing on a nightly basis, especially in leagues that cater to his physical presence (239 hits and 140 blocks). Larsson isn't going to single handedly carry a team's defensive unit but remains a model of consistency.

Larsson's change of venue from New Jersey to Edmonton last offseason mostly resulted in more of the same -- he went from three goals and 15 assists to four goals and 15 assists, though his rating did rise to a career-best plus-21. That’s the main benefit of being the stay-at-home complement to fellow Swede Oscar Klefbom, who enjoyed an offensive breakout in 2016-17. Another such season is likely on tap for Larsson, now 24 years old and not showing many signs of breaking out offensively the way one might expect from the 2011 draft’s No. 4 pick. However, fantasy owners in leagues that reward hits and blocked shots will be happy with him, as the gritty blueliner was a one-man wrecking ball and puck cushion last year, laying 253 hits and blocking 160 shots. Edmonton fans should be happy, too, even though the franchise paid a dear price for him in star winger Taylor Hall -- Larsson’s brought a level of defensive commitment to the Oilers that they'd been lacking for years, and while much of the credit for their dramatic improvement last year will rightly go to Connor McDavid, their key blue-line acquisition deserves some as well.

The whole city of Edmonton may still be buzzing with rage over the price the Oilers paid for Larsson this offseason, as they traded premier winger Taylor Hall straight up for him. That said, Edmonton has no shortage of scoring options, while Larsson should help shore up a defense that was disastrous last season. The fourth overall pick in the 2011 draft skated to a tidy plus-15 mark for the Devils in 2015-16, but replicating that output will be difficult on a far less defensively oriented Oilers squad. Larsson also didn’t sniff power-play time on a team severely lacking in options at the point, so don’t expect a significant boost in offensive production for the 23-year-old Swede despite the change of scenery.

Signed to a six-year extension in the offseason, it’s clear the Devils have faith in Larsson moving forward. The Swedish defenseman set a career high with 24 points in 64 games last season, emerging as a legitimate threat on an offensively challenged Devils team. The 22-year-old has size (6-foot-3, 200 pounds) and pedigree (No. 4 overall pick in 2011) on his side, but it’s hard to see him posting whopping numbers on a team that annually lacks offensive talent at the forward spot. If he can stay healthy, Larsson, who averaged 20:57 of ice time in 2014-15, can threaten or surpass 30 points in spite of his unfavorable team context. In addition to his scoring totals, Larsson pitched in with a respectable 92 hits and 120 blocks, demonstrating that he can be the Devils' No. 1 defenseman both now and for years to come.

Will this be the year that the 2011 No. 4 overall pick makes the jump and shows the potential he’s long been rumored to have? Larsson saw limited action with the Devils last season, playing 26 games and registering just a goal and an assist over that span. Larsson will turn 22 in November and should see more ice time this season with the departure of Mark Fayne and Anton Volchenkov. He will need to demonstrate consistency defensively to stay in the lineup, as coach Peter DeBoer has a short leash with young defenders. Larsson is worth a gamble in deep leagues and keeper leagues; just be sure to monitor his ice time.

Larsson is entering his third NHL season and the Devils are waiting for 2011's fourth-overall pick to mature into the player they believed they drafted. Larsson again saw himself in and out of the lineup during the lockout-shortened season, playing 37 games and grabbing six assists with 48 shots on goal. He has shown flashes of offensive ability but doesn't shoot often. He has the most upside of any Devils' defensemen but how much power play time he will see remains a question due to the presence of Marek Zidlicky and Andy Greene. As was the case last season, Larsson's value remains higher in keeper leagues.

Much hype surrounded Adam Larsson after being the fourth-overall pick of the 2011 draft, as he drew comparisons to everyone from Nicklas Lidstrom and Devils’ assistant coach Scott Stevens. Larsson turned 19 during last season and he definitely experienced a learning curve coming from the Swedish Elite League. Larsson finished the season with 18 points and a minus-7 rating while seeing himself in and out of the lineup at times, playing in 65 games, but he played in just five of New Jersey’s 24 playoff games this past spring. Larsson remains a developing talent with great potential, but expect him to continue to experience a few bumps this season. Still, he should challenge the 20-25 point mark, provided he can shore up his defensive-zone play.

Larsson was the fourth overall pick and the top-rated defender in this year's draft after distinguishing himself at the World Junior Championships. Larsson brings an all-around skillset to the Devils and will have every opportunity to make the squad, but he's not expected to light it up offensively. Instead, he's a heady player that has drawn comparisons to Nick Lidstrom and Victor Hedman, as he has the potential to be a franchise defender. However, all these intangibles don't necessarily translate to fantasy production. Larsson's a talent, but rookie defensemen typically don't offer much to those outside of keeper leagues. Remember his name, just don't call it too early.