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Aiming to Shut and Score

He wasn’t the most prominent forward on the team – heck, he wasn’t even the most prominent Larsson – but left winger Johan Larsson made an indelible mark on the Swedish world junior squad this year. Sure, all eyes may have been on draft-eligible defense-man Adam Larsson, but the kid some experts see as the heir apparent to Sammy Pahlsson had a good showing himself. “As a young player on that team, he had a significant role on the top line,” said Minnesota Wild assistant GM Brent Flahr, whose franchise selected Larsson 56th overall in 2010. “He competes, he skates, he has good hands and can make plays.” Larsson lights up when Pahlsson’s name is mentioned as an influence, though the youngster doesn’t want to be pigeonholed at this point. “Definitely, but…

Back to his Old Self

For all he’s been through, it’d be no surprise if Justin Williams wouldn’t discuss injuries. And you’d understand him tapping a piece of wood after every sentence. But the Los Angeles Kings right winger sees no need for those measures. “At this point, there’s a little more to it than superstition,” he said. “It’s preparation and basically not thinking about it. Going out there timid and playing the game not to get hurt, you’re going to get hurt.” Williams, 29, certainly knows about getting hurt. The two-time 30-goal man has had four seasons filled with major injuries – a broken leg, broken hand, Achilles tendon, knee injuries – but has rebounded and is on pace for another 30-goal campaign. “Getting my career back going and knowing what I can do when healthy…