COUNTDOWN TO PICK 5: PROSPECT ROUNDTABLE
A conversation with Adam Larsson and Ryan Murphy
NOTE TO READERS: Only discussing NYI/draft here. Please hit the NHL message boards to talk about trades not made by the Islanders. Thank you for the cooperation.
6:00 pm: Point Blank spoke with a pair of prospects on the eve of the draft: No. 1 defenseman Adam Larsson of the Swedish Elite League and elite defenseman Ryan Murphy of OHL Kitchener. Here is the transcript of our discussion:
As hockey players, what do you think you do best?
Larsson: My hockey sense, I would say. I seem to know where to be at the right time, and I’m confident I know how to make the right play on defense and offense.
Murphy: My skating is my best asset. It enables me to get to where I need to go and make the play in all zones.
Before you play your first NHL game, what aspect of your play would you most like to improve?
Larsson: My shot needs to get better. I practice it almost every day, including the offseason. It’s getting there. It should be ready for the NHL.
Murphy: There are no perfect players, so there are always areas I will work on. I continue to work hard on my defensive zone coverage.
Do you believe you could play in the NHL this October?
Murphy: I’m a confident person, so I have no problem saying yes. But if my NHL team decided it would be best for me to play another year in the Ontario League, I would accept that and just come back a year older, wiser and better.
Larsson: I am ready.
Yes, but the big question surrounding you, Adam, is will you come to the NHL this season instead of playing one more year back home in Sweden?
Larsson: After two years in the Swedish League playing against many great pros, I’m ready for another challenge. If the NHL team didn’t think I was ready after training camp, I would go back to Sweden for one more season. But the NHL is my dream and I’m determined to make the club that draft me this season.
Did you guys meet with the New Jersey Devils?
Larsson: Yes. At the combine and then some extra testing with New Jersey around the combine. That’s how they do it, as far as I’ve been told. That’s a great organization.
Murphy: Same with me. They spent a lot of time with me on testing. It was a great experience.
Did you meet with the Islanders in New York?
Larsson: No. Just at the combine. Great meeting. Nothing too crazy. Nice guys.
Murphy: Yes. I know the rink is old, but I loved it. Incredible tradition on Long Island. Nice place to live. I also met with them at the combine and had already taken their test.
Ryan, which member of Islanders management did you spend the most time with in New York?
Murphy: I only saw Garth Snow briefly. The man who spoke to me the most was (scout) Trent Klatt. He seemed to be the leader with prospect stuff. I really enjoyed the visit there.
How many other teams did you meet with one-on-one beyond the confines of the brief sessions at the combine?
Larsson: Three – Edmonton, Colorado and New Jersey.
Murphy: I visited the Islanders and Boston, plus five other teams came to Ontario to spend extra time with me. I also took a lot of tests for teams like the ones I took for the Islanders.
Just for fun, what’s your favorite movie?
Murphy: Miracle
Larsson: Unknown
Favorite music?
Murphy: Rap. Kid Cudi is my favorite.
Larsson: Justin Bieber (Editor’s note: I don’t know Adam well enough to know if he was only kidding, but I do not think he was kidding. Perhaps the Devils’ or Islanders’ PR staffs will be able to clarify this in about 24 hours).
Any idea what team is going to draft you?
Murphy: Not sure, but I think it will be in the top ten. I’ve got it narrowed down to a few teams, including the Islanders and Bruins, I think.
Larsson (laughing): You would think I would know by now, but I have no idea. It’s exciting. I will know soon enough. I’ll be proud to join any team that selects me.
Comments. Only discussing Islanders/Draft here. Thanks.
35 Responses to COUNTDOWN TO PICK 5: PROSPECT ROUNDTABLE
A conversation with Adam Larsson and Ryan Murphy
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islesfan999 says:
Isles will draft Courterier or Strome hopefully.
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kg says:
Garth will get a great player.
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bergevin says:
We’re spending all this time having players in and we don’t make time for Larsson just in case he slips. And as CB has written about, we’re the only team that had Dougie Hamilton in. I can only hope it’s a smokescreen.
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Tim Q says:
Great article Chris because it delves into what the Devils are doing. From what I can tell reading this, the Devils will take Larsson 4 clearing the way for us to get Dougie, Strome or Couts at 5.
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Alex says:
I cannot think of any good reason for Snow to trade down again. Great prospects available at 5. At least 3 to choose from. Take your BPA. If anything trade up for another pick later in the first
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oliver says:
In one story we get a better idea of the Devils process and what they’re doing. Looks like Larsson for them.
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Nyles says:
Iust hope the fans understand that by not getting one of the top 4 picks, we’re looking at drafting a player (however talented) who will not produce much for at least 2 years. Just bringing it straight.
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TimQ says:
Of all the picks discussed I can’t support going after Murphy. we need size on the D-line.
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CC says:
Thanks for this incredible run of stories and interviews. If another website did a better job this week for the hockey fans than you CB, someone will have to point it out because I’m not aware of it.
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Kevin 27 says:
You got anything left between now and the draft? How about your choice of who the Islanders should and will pick?
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jon from nj says:
Beiber? What is this? He’s already on my “no-draft” list.
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The New Isles GM says:
Wonder why Islanders didn’t really give Larsson to much time. He’s got enough hype to consider if he slips to 5 like Fowler did. I really hope the Islanders aren’t overly committed to one particular player. I remember Craig Button saying on this blog during an interview Isles targeted Johanson but was robbed by Columbus so had Nino at priority number 2. I guess you never know on draft day.
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streit02 says:
Kind of odd the isles didnt have Larsson in at all. Or the Panthers for that matter. He seems the most likely to slip, but would the Isles even take him? Doesnt sound like they would. Im starting to have that gut feeling that they will be calling Hamilton’s name and that is the only thing that could upset me. If the Isles were really leaning towards D how can you not meet with Larsson? They couldnt possibly have anything against the kid. Did his unimpressive combine performance turn them off?
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#27-Kevin: I feel the same way. Wish i wouldve asked that question to Brian and Chris when i had the chance. Just want to know if they could pick any of the top players who their pick would be for the Isles.
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CIsle says:
Would bet a lot that Larsson was DEFINITELY kidding about Bieber!!!
Check out the bit on TSN.CA where Landeskog and Larsson are chatted with at the same time.
They are asked to speak to each other in Swedish and Larsson dryly looked at Gabriel and said “You are uggggggly”.
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Ray says:
Larsson reminds me of the sweedish version of Drago from Rocky.
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KMo429 says:
This was enjoyable to read lol. Larsson is the best dman in the draft and if he falls to us, I really hope we don’t pass on him, he can be a franchise defenseman for us. Myrphy seems liek a good guy and greta offensive defenseman, but I don’t think he fits the best. We need some size ad physicality on D, to complement the offense. Go Isles! Hopefully the good drafting of the last 5 years or so continues
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Chris,
Is this what you call “temporary absences” from your blog over the summer?!!!
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UIF says:
the “editor’s note” on the Bieber thing is hysterical. Nice job asking if Larsson’s willing to play in the NHL next season, too. I’d read he was going back to Sweden.
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Jim Clark says: Larsson is only 16 months older than Justin Bieber. Is it really incredulous that he likes the music one of his contemporaries makes?
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stan says:
Larson didnt meet with snow because snow is confident larsson will not be there at 5. if he is still available, snow will take him, no brainer. I just hope its not Hamilton because we already have a shut down Dman in Hamonic. remember snow? HAMONIC? HAMONIC?
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Oren says:
Love Larsson’s answer: “I’m ready now”. I’ve seen some youtube of this guy and his profile on TSN mock. Kid looks smart, tough, talented, and ready. Larsson then Corturier in that order. Strome would be my 3rd option. No Hamilton please. He is an #7-#10 not a #5 this year.
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Steve J says:
If Larsson somehow manages to fall to #5, then we all will forgot about him listening to Bieber. Just as long as Larsson doesn’t pick the new goal song.
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Jerky says:
I’m also surprised they didn’t make time for a visit from Larsson (no matter how small the odds are that he’ll slip to #5). I hope if Larsson is available at #5 and Nugent-Hopkins, Landeskog and Huberdeau are not, then Snow would select Larsson.
CB, is it unrealistic to think Snow will trade up to select one of the aforementioned top four prospects? I can see waiting to pull the trigger on a deal until the Devils are ready to select (at which time Snow will know if one of those four will be available at #5) but the real question is whether it’s worth trading up for one of those guys versus sticking with the #5 pick and taking the next best player on the Isles scouting sheet.
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stand pat at 5 and you will walk away with a B+ prospect any of the top 7-8 have the ability to be really good players…IMO I think Couturier or Strome should be the pick…
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Battfist says:
I realize Murphy is small…but with his shot and skating skills…Ill take him on my team any day of the week. No I wouldnt be disappointed if he is an Islander.
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hangover3 says:
Makes you realize how these are just kids we are drafting when they listen to kid kudi and justin Beiber. Wang will go with Larson most likely if he bases the pick on who will go to concerts with him.
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onesinceforty says:
Can’t wait but I am all over the place. I have no earthly idea what they will do. I do wish Jankowski was around though as I had really built up a trust with his scouting.
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Jack says:
Wow, I love CB, I’d have his baby if I could, what a guy !
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booboo says:
no chicken swedes allowed!
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Joe says:
#7- the fact that there are a lot of good prospects is a reason TO trade down. Get another asset and still get a good prospect.
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One more thing,trading down to aquire a 2nd rounder is putting your franchise in another teams hands. Take the player you want, if you don’t know who the best player will be, hire scouts who will at least pretend to know.
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Steve says:
Awesome job, Chris! You do more for strengthening and broadening the Isles fan base than anyone or anything else involved with the team. Incredible.
Bieber? hahaha I hope he was joking!