Ducks Carlsson Expected to Have Big Role Upon Return

With elite puck skills and vision to complement a fantastic motor, Carlsson should make the transition into the NHL smoothly.

On Tuesday Anaheim Ducks fans were greeted with a fantastic sight, the return of 2nd overall pick Leo Carlsson.

It's been just under two weeks since Carlsson took a hard fall into the boards at practice, taking him out of the first two games of the season.

Carlsson did say he isn't sure if he'll be good to go against the Dallas Stars Thursday but his return to practice is a great sign.

Perhaps more encouraging than his return is the spot Greg Cronin is putting him in. 

Centering Trevor Zegras and Troy Terry, Carlsson is in a great place to produce and develop his game. The responsibility of being a number-one center is a lot to handle for any young player, but Carlsson is a good candidate to make it work.

At 6-foot-3, 198 pounds, Carlsson is more physically mature than most 18-year-olds and should handle that side of the game better than most.

But, more importantly, he has 79 games of professional hockey in the SHL under his belt. He's used to playing against grown men and how to deal with that at a young age.

The NHL is a massive step up in every regard, but his time in the SHL should prepare him.

He's also between the Ducks' two best forwards which never hurts.

Carlsson had flashes of high-end skill during the preseason, and if he can develop chemistry with Zegras and Terry, he could put up some big numbers in his rookie campaign.

The defensive side of the game will be a question mark, but once this line gets going in the offensive zone, they'll be a lot to handle for any team.

With elite puck skills and vision to complement a fantastic motor, Carlsson should make the transition into the NHL smoothly.

A Carlsson and Mason McTavish one-two punch up the middle is also one of the most exciting center duos in all of hockey.

Those two have an excellent future and will become a two-headed monster for the Ducks in the future.