mjd1001 Posted April 4, 2015 Report Share Posted April 4, 2015 It seems has if he has been producing a lot of points lately, for a team that doesn't really score too many goals, so for fun I looked into his stats/game log this year. Now, I am NOT by any means saying we can expect this kind of production out of him based on projecting his stats, as we all know how a few years ago Foligno has a short run where we projected him to be a regular 20-30 goal scorer. But, I wanted to project his stats to see what kind of production the Sabres have been getting out of him lately. He has been with the team, for the most part, since a call-up on Feb 15 vs the Flyers. After that call-up, in his next 10 games, he had 0 goals and 1 assist. He averaged just over 10 minutes of ice time per game. Since game 11 of this most recent stretch until now (a March 7 game against Washington until now), he has played 13 games, 4 goals, 7 assists, 11 points.In this stretch, he is averaging over 20 minutes a game, putting him near the very top of ice time per game among forwards. Also of note, for the entire year, he is a positive player (+1 through 35 games...on a team this is a -107 in goal differential.) I'm just wondering where he fits on this team long term. He obviously isn't just a little better when playing with good teammates and getting more ice time, he is a LOT better when getting more ice time. Yet, if you slot him into a 4th line role going forward, how valuable will he be? Gasp to think about this..but if the Sabres do NOT finish 30th, do they do something like Draft Hanifan, go with the Nashville model (D-men of Risto, Zadarov, Bogosian, Pysyk, Hanifan) where they can really REALLY shut down most teams, and you have forward lines centered by Reinhart, Girgensons, Larson.....with some talent on the wing to go with them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dudacek Posted April 4, 2015 Report Share Posted April 4, 2015 If you want to talk about the Nashville model, Larsson's top side is Mike Fisher. I like the kid. I penciled him in for the fourth line next year, but I'm seeing a versatile middle six forward. Next to Risto, he is the best thing to come out of this season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob_sauve28 Posted April 4, 2015 Report Share Posted April 4, 2015 They will find a place for him on one of the top three lines Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drunkard Posted April 4, 2015 Report Share Posted April 4, 2015 I could see a line of Larsson Grigorenko and Gionta next year as our 3rd line. That would bump Foligno down to our 4th line. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
That Aud Smell Posted April 4, 2015 Report Share Posted April 4, 2015 Larsson can be that guy who anchors a 3rd line but can play up as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
French Collection Posted April 4, 2015 Report Share Posted April 4, 2015 When our team is a contender again he's a 3rd line winger who can take draws, and be on a PK unit. He can move into a top six role when injuries occur. On a championship team he centers the 4th line, similar to Greg Campbell's role on the Bruins Cup team. A 4th line on a team like that gets decent ice time and are not a liability, unlike our 4th lines of the past few years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bunomatic Posted April 4, 2015 Report Share Posted April 4, 2015 When our team is a contender again he's a 3rd line winger who can take draws, and be on a PK unit. He can move into a top six role when injuries occur. On a championship team he centers the 4th line, similar to Greg Campbell's role on the Bruins Cup team. A 4th line on a team like that gets decent ice time and are not a liability, unlike our 4th lines of the past few years. Hopefully we can roll four lines in the near future which imo is the best scenario if you want to go far in the playoffs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob_sauve28 Posted April 4, 2015 Report Share Posted April 4, 2015 Hopefully we can roll four lines in the near future which imo is the best scenario if you want to go far in the playoffs. Bingo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LGR4GM Posted April 4, 2015 Report Share Posted April 4, 2015 Man, It is almost like we can't write off 22yr old kids as busts until we let them grow up and show their stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny DangerFace Posted April 4, 2015 Report Share Posted April 4, 2015 Man, It is almost like we can't write off 22yr old kids as busts until we let them grow up and show their stuff. Oh i know. Larsson was a bust around here 4 months ago Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deluca67 Posted April 4, 2015 Report Share Posted April 4, 2015 The Sabres need Larsson and other younger players to start cementing their place on this roster. It's an important part of the rebuild. Drafting and trading for prospects is step one, the next step is for those players to earn their place with the Sabres. Girgensons Ristolainen Zadorov and now Larsson, if he can maintain. The future is already here, the first pieces of the next Sabres Cup contender are already in place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dudacek Posted April 4, 2015 Report Share Posted April 4, 2015 The Sabres need Larsson and other younger players to start cementing their place on this roster. It's an important part of the rebuild. Drafting and trading for prospects is step one, the next step is for those players to earn their place with the Sabres. Girgensons Ristolainen Zadorov and now Larsson, if he can maintain. The future is already here, the first pieces of the next Sabres Cup contender are already in place. Much as I want this to be true, it's not. He's just not focused enough and the big plays we saw to balance his mistakes out in November/December aren't happening any more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randall Flagg Posted April 4, 2015 Report Share Posted April 4, 2015 I enjoy Larsson the way I enjoyed Hecht. Hope Johan can play a similar role. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robviously Posted April 4, 2015 Report Share Posted April 4, 2015 Much as I want this to be true, it's not. He's just not focused enough and the big plays we saw to balance his mistakes out in November/December aren't happening any more. He's also 19. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dudacek Posted April 4, 2015 Report Share Posted April 4, 2015 He's also 19. Definitely. I love the kid and still have high hopes. Just responding to Deluca's suggestion that he has cemented his place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darksabre Posted April 5, 2015 Report Share Posted April 5, 2015 He's having a good game tonight. His "hockey sense" is very good. Defensively responsible. I'm pleased. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Malooga Posted April 5, 2015 Report Share Posted April 5, 2015 Funny how just last year Paul Hamilton said on WGR, "There are no forwards currently in Rochester who have a future in the NHL." He was specifically asked about Johan Larsson, and he said even he was not going to make it. Lol. Definitely. I love the kid and still have high hopes. Just responding to Deluca's suggestion that he has cemented his place. Are you joking about him not making plays? His blue-line to blue-line play the other night was beautiful, so was his assist on Matt Ellis' goal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny DangerFace Posted April 5, 2015 Report Share Posted April 5, 2015 He's just saying he hasn't cemented himself as part of the future core yet, that's fair to say. Neither has reinhart or pysyk, it doesn't mean they wont in the next few years Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matter2003 Posted April 5, 2015 Report Share Posted April 5, 2015 He is a hard worker who isn't afraid to get his nose dirty but has some offensive upside... Has potential to be a 10-15 goal scorer on the 3rd line and play some good minutes for us...I like the kid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LGR4GM Posted April 5, 2015 Report Share Posted April 5, 2015 Much as I want this to be true, it's not. He's just not focused enough and the big plays we saw to balance his mistakes out in November/December aren't happening any more. I have questions about Zadorov but will patiently wait to see if a half season or more in Rochester helps to mold him. His ceiling is Pronger but his floor is Butler. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3putt Posted April 5, 2015 Report Share Posted April 5, 2015 Much as I want this to be true, it's not. He's just not focused enough and the big plays we saw to balance his mistakes out in November/December aren't happening any more. Pysik if his health issues are temporary. Zadorov will be pushed and hopefully rise to the challenge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beerme1 Posted April 5, 2015 Report Share Posted April 5, 2015 I have questions about Zadorov but will patiently wait to see if a half season or more in Rochester helps to mold him. His ceiling is Pronger but his floor is Butler. That's crap. His floor is not Chris Butler. That's crap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doohickie Posted April 5, 2015 Report Share Posted April 5, 2015 My lord, only SS could take a thread praising one player and turn it into damning another player in less than two dozen posts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaLaLaFontaine Posted April 5, 2015 Report Share Posted April 5, 2015 I am really looking forward what Larsson may become. Hacket was already a bust in the JP29 trade. Left are Zadorov, Larsson and second rounder I do not know we converted into. Trade winner is still pending, but I believe it will be a win win hockey trade for both teams because JP fits very well to the Wild right now and we have the better players around when it counts for us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dollars 2 Donuts Posted April 5, 2015 Report Share Posted April 5, 2015 I could see a line of Larsson Grigorenko and Gionta next year as our 3rd line. That would bump Foligno down to our 4th line. Gotta tell ya, I dig thinking about the potential of that line. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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