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Next up in our player discussion series: #22 Johan Larsson F (22-year-old RFA) Rochester 43/15/23/38/+11/38 Buffalo 39/6/10/16/0/12 Larsson came to North America three years ago, considered just another promising European second-rounder. But in Sweden, he was very highly regarded. At 17, he scored 14 points in five games at World Under18s, leading Sweden to silver. At 18, he won rookie of the year in his first season in the Swedish Elite League, helping Brynas win the championship. And at 19, he captained the Swedes to the 2012 World Junior title. Larsson sparkled on the farm during his first two years with the Buffalo organization after being acquired in the Jason Pominville trade. Playing wing and centre, and in all situations, he was possibly the Amerks’ best all-around player this year and last. But in Buffalo it was a different story. In his first 54 Sabre games, he had just seven points, rarely getting ice time beyond the fourth line. He complained about lack of opportunity, earning a reprimand from coach Ted Nolan. Those quotes sparked internet speculation that he would head back to Europe in frustration this fall. After the trade deadline, Larsson finally got the opportunity he craved. He took advantage, registering 13 points and a +1 in the season’s last 17 games, where he played as the team’s number one centre, often matched against the opponents’ top lines. Has he cemented a role with the team? Is it at centre, or on the wing? Is he a good fourth-liner, a solid third-liner, or can he play in the top six? Will he be pushed aside to make room for Reinhart and Eichel? And how will that possibility affect his contract talks and his role with the team going forward?