Adam Larsson
Adam Larsson | |
|---|---|
| Born | Nils Erik Adam Larsson November 12, 1992 Skellefteå, Sweden |
| Occupation | Professional ice hockey defenceman |
| Years active | 2009–present |
| Known for | Alternate captain for the Seattle Kraken in the NHL |
Nils Erik Adam Larsson (born 12 November 1992) is a Swedish professional ice hockey defenceman who serves as an alternate captain for the Seattle Kraken in the National Hockey League (NHL). He was chosen fourth overall in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft by the New Jersey Devils, becoming both the first defenceman and the first European-trained player selected that year.
Early life
Larsson was born in Skellefteå, Sweden, and is the son of Robert Larsson, a former player who appeared in 249 games for Skellefteå AIK and was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in 1988, although he never played professionally in North America. Adam is the middle sibling, with an older brother named Hampus and a younger sister named Julia.
Skellefteå AIK (2009–2011)
Larsson started his career in Sweden’s junior leagues, competing alongside his brother Hampus during the 2008–09 season. His major breakthrough occurred in the 2009–10 Elitserien season when he scored twice in a single game against Timrå IK and matched the record for most points by a defenceman under 18 years old with 17 points.
During the 2010–11 campaign, Larsson’s playtime was curtailed by a groin injury, concluding the season with nine points. A notable incident involved Larsson engaging in a fight against Timrå IK, which led to a two-game suspension and fines despite him keeping his gloves on to avoid an automatic penalty. His efforts throughout that season earned him a nomination for Elitserien Rookie of the Year.
New Jersey Devils (2011–2016)
Selected fourth overall by the New Jersey Devils in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, Larsson was seen as a pivotal piece in strengthening their defensive lineup. As the highest-rated European-based prospect, he secured a three-year entry-level contract at the NHL rookie maximum salary of US$925,000 annually, notably without performance bonuses due to General Manager Lou Lamoriello’s policy. At 18, he became the first defenseman of that age to play for the Devils since 1995 and averaged around 24 minutes per game alongside veteran teammates. Although his offensive production started slowly, he quickly emerged as one of the team’s top defencemen, netting his first NHL goal shortly after turning 19 and setting a rookie record by earning points in five consecutive games.
By mid-season, Larsson led all rookie defensemen with 13 assists and 15 points but had to withdraw from the 2012 NHL All-Star Rookie SuperSkills Competition because of injury. He averaged nearly 22 minutes on ice per game until suffering an injury from a hit by P.K. Subban that sidelined him for ten games. Upon returning, he remained New Jersey’s leading scoring defenseman, finishing his rookie year with two goals and sixteen assists over sixty-five games while receiving votes for the Calder Memorial Trophy. He contributed effectively on both penalty kill and power play units but had limited playoff appearances until an injury to Ilya Kovalchuk opened an opportunity; Larsson scored the tying goal in his postseason debut, becoming the first Devils rookie defenseman to score during a playoff game.
Ahead of the 2012–13 NHL season, during the NHL lockout, Larsson was assigned to Albany Devils in the AHL where he tallied four goals and fifteen assists across thirty-three games before rejoining New Jersey. He completed that shortened season with six assists and a plus-4 rating over thirty-seven games, ranking highly in hits and blocked shots despite not scoring any goals. The Devils failed to qualify for the playoffs.
Larsson secured a spot on New Jersey’s opening roster for the 2013–14 season but suffered a lower-body injury after twenty games that prematurely ended his season following complications during rehabilitation. He spent time conditioning with Albany before being recalled late in the year, finishing second among team defencemen with nineteen points as New Jersey again missed postseason play.
In 2014–15, Larsson returned to action on October 21 but missed several games due to illness and conditioning assignments with Albany. After recovering from mumps, he rejoined New Jersey’s lineup. Following that season as a restricted free agent, Larsson filed for salary arbitration but ultimately agreed to a six-year contract worth $25 million with an average annual value of $4.17 million on July 25, 2015, solidifying his position as a core member of the Devils’ defense corps.
Edmonton Oilers (2016–2021)
On June 29, 2016, Larsson was exchanged to the Edmonton Oilers in return for Taylor Hall. This trade faced significant backlash, with many viewing it as heavily favoring the Devils; however, Oilers General Manager Peter Chiarelli justified the deal as a strategic move based on team needs, emphasizing Larsson's potential. Prior to the 2016–17 campaign, Chiarelli also brought in players like Milan Lucic, Patrick Maroon, and Zack Kassian. Larsson partnered with fellow Swede Oscar Klefbom to anchor Edmonton’s leading defensive duo, contributing to a strong season start of 7–2–1. While his offensive output was moderate, coach Todd McLellan lauded him as a "stabilizing factor" on the blue line. By the end of December, Larsson had tallied two goals and four assists and ranked eighth in the NHL for hits, recognized as the Oilers’ most physical defenseman during teammate Darnell Nurse’s absence due to injury.
Throughout the latter half of the season, Larsson and Klefbom continued as the team’s premier defensive pairing. Although Larsson missed several games in February because of injury, he remained second on the squad in even-strength ice time and plus-minus rating. Klefbom acknowledged Larsson’s influence on his own enhanced play. Larsson closed out the season with four goals and 15 assists over 79 contests. During the 2017 Stanley Cup playoffs, he played a crucial defensive role against both the San Jose Sharks and Anaheim Ducks, including netting two third-period goals in Game 1 versus the Ducks. He consistently logged substantial minutes, finishing with two goals and four assists across 13 postseason games.
Ahead of the 2017–18 season, Larsson earned distinction as the first Swedish player appointed an alternate captain for the Oilers. Injuries within the roster saw him alternating between pairing with Klefbom or Nurse on the top defensive line. He began the season effectively but was sidelined in December due to an upper-body injury and placed on Injured Reserve. After experiencing his father’s cardiac arrest and subsequent passing in January, Larsson missed multiple games but returned to achieve his 100th NHL point by March. He completed the season with four goals and 12 points over 57 games and received a nomination for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy in recognition of his perseverance.
In the offseason of 2018, Larsson secured a gold medal representing Team Sweden at the 2018 IIHF World Championship. Returning for preseason preparations, he sustained a back injury but managed to participate in the season opener held in Sweden. He resumed his role as Klefbom’s primary defensive partner until Klefbom’s injury in late December necessitated Larsson to team up with Nurse and subsequently rookie Caleb Jones. The Oilers faced early struggles that led to coach Todd McLellan being replaced by Ken Hitchcock. By January 2019, amid inconsistent defensive performances and a seventh-place finish in the Pacific Division, Chiarelli was relieved of his duties as GM. Larsson played all 82 games that season, amassing 20 points; however, Edmonton failed to qualify for the playoffs.
During the 2019 offseason, Larsson adopted a revamped training approach aimed at enhancing his speed and returned to camp in improved physical condition. In the season opener against the Vancouver Canucks, after blocking a shot, he suffered a fractured fibula that sidelined him for 22 games. Upon his November return, he rejoined forces with Klefbom before NHL play was halted due to COVID-19 concerns. At that point in the season, he had recorded one goal and five assists over 49 games.
Seattle Kraken (2021–present)
On July 21, 2021, Larsson was picked from the Oilers during the 2021 NHL expansion draft by the Seattle Kraken and promptly inked a four-year deal worth $16 million. A significant reason for his exit was the emotional impact following his father's passing, which influenced his tenure with Edmonton. Prior to the start of the 2021–22 NHL season, Larsson was appointed one of the Kraken's four alternate captains along with Jordan Eberle, Yanni Gourde, and Jaden Schwartz. He had a strong opening stretch, tallying 14 shots on goal within his initial 10 games while forming a defensive pairing with Jérémy Lauzon. Head coach Dave Hakstol commended Larsson for his composed professionalism and reliability in critical situations. By early December, he led Seattle in penalty kill minutes, logging 52 minutes on the ice.
In mid-December, several games were postponed due to COVID-19 protocols, affecting Larsson among others. After a recovery period lasting 10 days, he returned to action on December 29 against the Flyers, leading the team with 22:38 of ice time despite limited practice beforehand. Larsson’s offensive contributions increased in January, as he scored goals in consecutive games for the first time and recorded the franchise’s inaugural overtime game-winning goal on January 26 against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Following the NHL trade deadline moves involving Giordano and Lauzon, Larsson consistently partnered defensively with Vince Dunn. He closed the season with personal bests of 25 points across 81 games, alongside 183 hits, 140 blocked shots, and 119 shots directed at goal.
Ahead of the 2022–23 NHL season, Larsson retained his role as an alternate captain alongside Eberle, Gourde, and Schwartz while reuniting on defense with Dunn. On November 11, 2022, he reached a milestone by playing his 700th NHL game during a defeat to the Minnesota Wild. By December, he had contributed two goals and five assists while helping Seattle maintain control of 53.7% of unblocked shot attempts during contests. In January, Larsson matched Eberle’s franchise record by registering points in seven consecutive games (one goal and six assists), a streak that was subsequently eclipsed by Dunn’s eight-game run.
International play
As a native Swede, Larsson has represented his homeland at both junior and senior international competitions. His first appearance came with the Sweden squad at the 2009 IIHF World U18 Championships. The next year, he helped secure a bronze medal at the 2010 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, playing alongside notable teammates such as Tim Erixon and David Rundblad. During the 2010 U18 Championships, Larsson amassed three points over five games and earned recognition as the tournament’s top defenceman. At the 2011 World Junior Championships, he was Sweden’s leading scoring defenceman with one goal and three assists.
Larsson debuted at the senior level during the 2016 IIHF World Championship, contributing one goal and three assists. He returned in 2018 to claim a gold medal and was honored with selection to the All-Star team. He also represented Sweden at the 2019 championship; however, the team did not secure a medal that year. After a two-year absence from international play, Larsson made his comeback at the 2022 tournament, recording one goal and one assist.
Regular season and playoffs
|||2021–22 NHL season |||Seattle Kraken |||NHL |||82 |||8 |||17 |||25 |||55 ||| — ||| — ||| — ||| — ||| — |||2022–23 NHL season |||Seattle Kraken |||NHL |||82 |||8 |||25 |||33 |||47 |||14 |||2 |||2 |||4 |||8 |||2023–24 NHL season |||Seattle Kraken |||NHL |||81 |||4 |||14 |||18 |||55 ||| — ||| — ||| — ||| — ||| — |||2024–25 NHL season |||Seattle Kraken |||NHL |||82 |||7 |||21 |||28 |||31 ||| —| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 2007–08 | Skellefteå AIK | J18 | 13 | 5 | 11 | 16 | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2007–08 | Skellefteå AIK | J18 Allsv | 11 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 22 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2007–08 | Skellefteå AIK | J20 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2008–09 | Skellefteå AIK | J18 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2008–09 | Skellefteå AIK | J18 Allsv | 2 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 8 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 6 | ||
| 2008–09 | Skellefteå AIK | J20 | 26 | 2 | 7 | 9 | 28 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 2 | ||
| 2008–09 | Skellefteå AIK | SEL | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2009–10 | Skellefteå AIK | SEL | 49 | 4 | 13 | 17 | 18 | 11 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 31 | ||
| 2010–11 | Skellefteå AIK | SEL | 37 | 1 | 8 | 9 | 41 | 17 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 12 | ||
| 2011–12 | New Jersey Devils | NHL | 65 | 2 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | ||
| 2012–13 | Albany Devils | AHL | 33 | 4 | 15 | 19 | 24 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2012–13 | New Jersey Devils | NHL | 37 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2013–14 | New Jersey Devils | NHL | 26 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 12 | |||||||
| 2013–14 | Albany Devils | AHL | 33 | 3 | 16 | 19 | 16 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | ||
| 2014–15 | New Jersey Devils | NHL | 64 | 3 | 21 | 24 | 34 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2014–15 | Albany Devils | AHL | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2015–16 | New Jersey Devils | NHL | 82 | 3 | 15 | 18 | 77 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2016–17 | Edmonton Oilers | NHL | 79 | 4 | 15 | 19 | 55 | 13 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 4 | ||
| 2017–18 | Edmonton Oilers | NHL | 63 | 4 | 9 | 13 | 34 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2018–19 | Edmonton Oilers | NHL | 82 | 3 | 17 | 20 | 44 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2019–20 | Edmonton Oilers | NHL | 49 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 35 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2020–21 | Edmonton Oilers | NHL | 56 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 24
|||4 |||0 |||2 |||2 |||2 | |||||||
| SEL totals | 87 | 5 | 21 | 26 | 59 | 28 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 43 | ||||
| NHL totals | 930 | 52 | 189 | 241 | 535 | 38 | 5 | 8 | 13 | 18 | ||||
International
| Year | Team | Tournament | Placement | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Sweden | U18 | 5th place | 6 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | |
| 2010 | Sweden | WJC | Template:Bronze3 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 0 | |
| 2010 | Sweden | U18 | Template:Silver2 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 12 | |
| 2011 | Sweden | WJC | 4th place | 6 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 4 | |
| 2016 | Sweden | WC | 6th place | 8 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 4 | |
| 2018 | Sweden | WC | Template:Gold1 | 10 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 10 | |
| 2019 | Sweden | WC | 5th place | 8 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 8 | |
| 2022 | Sweden | WC | 6th place | 8 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6 | |
| Junior career totals | 23 | 4 | 9 | 13 | 20 | ||||
| Senior career totals | 34 | 4 | 9 | 13 | 28 | ||||
Awards and honours
| Award | Year |
|---|---|
| International Accolades | |
| World Championship All-Star Team | 2018 |