New Jersey Devils No.4 Pick confident about abilities to play in NHL –NHL offseason Update
New Jersey Devils still might not have found a head coach for their team yet, but their fourth overall pick of the 2011 National Hockey League (NHL) Entry Draft, Adam Larsson, is certainly ready to play in the major leagues after his first training session
with his team.
Larsson, an 18-year-old defenseman from Skelleftea, Sweden, was amongst the top ranked ice hockey prospects in Europe, which ultimately led to him being selected as the fourth overall pick.
The young defender also received tips from one of hockey’s greatest players, defenseman Scott Stevens, a three-time Stanley Cup winner, who played over 20 seasons in the NHL and nearly 13 seasons with New Jersey until retiring during the 2003-2004 season.
"He gave me a few tips; he knows best", Larsson said about training alongside hockey legend Scott Stevens. "Of course, I'll listen to every single word he says. I look up to him".
Although the New Jersey Devils general manager, Lou Lamoriello, has still not announced an entry-level contract for their top draft pick, according to sources, Larsson’s agent and him are still in the negotiating process and hope to strike a deal soon.
"We're working on it and hopefully we can get something done", Larsson said. "Of course, I want to start in the NHL, but I would play in the American Hockey League if that's where they wanted me to go. That would be great, too … it wouldn't bother me at
all. If I go, I'll go and then I can play everywhere".
Being the first defenseman taken in this year’s NHL Entry Draft, Larson has the right to be confident in his abilities. He is still to decide where he will be playing if not offered a job in the NHL immediately from choices which range from the AHL and the
European leagues, where he still is under contract for another season.
New Jersey Devils have high hopes of the defender and playing him in the upcoming season would only make a strong team even stronger. It is most likely he will be offered an NHL entry-level contract in the upcoming weeks.
Tags: