The Washington Capitals made two moves on the trade deadline day. One of them was sending a draft pick to the Arizona Coyotes in exchange for Johan Larsson. How did he do in his possible brief time in D.C.?
Larsson had one goal and five assists for six points in 14 games with the Capitals. He had a nice six goals and nine assists with the Coyotes. He had two assists in the playoffs. He mostly skated on the Caps fourth line which practically saved them.
He slotted alongside Garnet Hathaway and Nic Dowd. He was a good bottom six forward that had quality on his defensive game too. If he played a full season with the team, his goal numbers would’ve gone up no doubt. He is an unrestricted free agent this summer.
The Caps acquired him at the trade deadline because they didn’t feel like Axel Jonsson Fjallby was ready to step in for Carl Hagelin. Hagelin had a gruesome eye injury that sidelined him for the rest of the season.
Larsson had some decent advanced stats per Natural Stat Trick. He had a Corsi For percentage of 55.35 percent, an Expected Goals For percentage of 58.92 percent, and a High Danger Chances For percentage at 61.36 percent.
Like the rest of the team however, Larsson’s advanced stats dipped in the playoffs. His Corsi For percentage was at 42.71 percent, Expected Goals For percentage at 44.26 percent, and his High Danger Chances For percentage at 47.62 percent.
It is highly unlikely the Caps will re-sign Larsson this summer. He is 29 which is a good thing so maybe they do make an offer. He’s just under 30.
Grade C: Overall Larsson did what he needed to do which was to be a placeholder on the fourth line that was banged up with Hagelin’s absence. So he gets an average grade in what was probably his brief time with the Capitals.