TAMMERFORS. Leo Carlsson is Tre Kronor’s first WC center among two NHL players.
In Orebro in the SHL, on the other hand, the 18-year-old had to play the unfamiliar role of a striker.
– It’s something I’ve talked to the club about, and they know I want to play in the middle, he says.
Several NHL scouts that Sportbladet spoke to during the season were surprised that Örebro did not use Leo Carlsson as a center.
It’s the position he and the circle around him would like to see him play.
Leo Carlson is too humble to express any disappointment, but at the same time he’s clear about what he wants going forward.
He’s the central midfielder I want, I feel I can be more dominant as a center than as a striker. At the same time, it worked well for me in the forward position during the season. I want to be first, but if I play forward it’s still easy, says Leo Carlsson.
“He would like to be tested.”
He passed that on to Örebro, as Niklas Ericsson went from head coach to sports director.
He didn’t have time to talk to new coach Johan Hedberg yet when things were going too fast with the World Cup matches.
– They know I want to be a center and I’m actually the center type. I wanted to try out for a game in the SHL during the season to see how it went. It’s still normal to start as a forward when you come up young in a tough league like the SHL, says Leo Carlsson.
above as a tea maker
Previously, as a junior and youth player, it was used as a center.
It is also the role that captain Sam Hallam has chosen to match in Tre Kronor.
– It’s a position that I like best, it suits me better. It becomes freer and more to control the disc quickly. The hardest part is the graphics. I haven’t filmed in Orebro all season. Leo Carlson says it’s something I have to work on and develop here in the WC.
Only the targets are missing.
The so-called Puppy series has really gained momentum since Lucas Raymond and Jonathan Berggren had to play forwards on each side, both of whom are every day for the Detroit Red Wings.
We create a lot of chances every game. It’s easy to play against players here, only the targets are missing. It’s not something I can believe in pre-season, it’s really fun. It’s a good playoff with SM that allowed me to get here,” said Leo Carlson.
His teammates see him as very inquisitive and inquisitive both on and off the ice.
– It’s important to know how other players are used to doing and where they want me to be, especially those you play with in the series and in power play. It’s important, then, to have your own opinions, too, says Leo Carlson.
The youngest ever
In the opening five group stage matches, Leo Karlsson scored one goal and assisted two.
He managed to become Tre Kronor’s youngest World Cup player and all-time goalscorer.
It remains unclear if he will return to Orebro and the SHL or will get a direct shot in the NHL as the top pick in the draft this summer.
In WC, Leo Carlsson is very wary when foreign media also want to talk to him about matches.