The New Jersey Devils have selected Adam Larsson fourth overall in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.

The first defenseman taken in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, Larsson possesses a quiet maturity about his game. Using his excellent mobility, strong positioning, active stick and his understanding of how plays develop, the six-foot-three, 205-pound Swedish blueliner could be a candidate to play in the NHL this season.

Larsson isn’t just a smart, mobile defenseman though. His offensive instincts are solid and his puck handling and distribution is elite for his age group. Not afraid to jump into the rush when safe, Larsson can get it done at both ends of the ice. That’s not to confuse his offensive skills with that of Ryan Murphy, though. Larsson isn’t flashy in the offensive zone, but does utilize his instincts effectively.

If there is one area where scouts would have liked to see Larsson play with more consistency. At times he was viewed as complacent and made bad decisions with the puck.

Regardless of this minor blemish, Larsson is the draft’s top defenseman.

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