Former Devils Defenseman Closing In on Four-Year Extension

Former New Jersey Devils defenseman, Adam Larsson, is nearing a new contract extension with the Seattle Kraken.

As first reported by DailyFaceoff’s Frank Seravalli, the NHL insider explained the four-year deal is anticipated to be between $5-$6 million. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman later reported he was hearing Larsson’s average annual value (AAV) will be $5.25 million.

The former fourth overall selection by the Devils in 2011 is heading into his fourth season with the Kraken. He spent last season serving as the clubs alternate captain, serving as a leader on and off the ice while Seattle’s captaincy remains vacant. The former Devils defenseman is certainly a candidate to wear the ‘C’ with a new extension in the works.

In 81 games last season, Larsson accrued four goals and 18 points manning the Kraken blue line. Relative to the two previous seasons with the Kraken, the 2023-24 season was a regression. The soon 32-year-old defenseman totaled 25 and 33 points respectively in each of the first two seasons of the Krakens existence.

Larsson was selected by the Kraken in the expansion draft, plucking the veteran from the Edmonton Oilers. The famous one-for-one Devils trade saw New Jersey deal Larsson to the Oilers back in June of 2016 in exchange for Taylor Hall.

The Swedish blue liner is entering the final year of his previous four-year contract with Seattle which was worth $16 million which carried a $4 million AAV.

Larsson stepped into the NHL right away following his selection in the NHL Draft. The Devils deployed Larsson on their blueline at the ripe age of 19 years old where he registered two goals and 18 points in 65 games during the 2011-12 season. He finished his Devils career skating in 274 games with New Jersey, collecting nine goals and 69 points.

In five seasons with the Oilers, Larsson tallied 16 goals and 68 points in 329 games.

Although Larsson was drafted by the Devils as a skilled two-way defenseman, he adjusted his game and developed into a reliable defensive defenseman who specializes on the penalty kill. Thus, the Kraken want to keep him around through his age-36 season with playoff aspirations in mind.

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