Controversy explained around No. 2 overall pick Leo Carlsson

Ahead of the 2023 NHL Draft, every one was wondering whether Leo Carlsson or Adam Fantilli would be selected second overall. The Anaheim Ducks chose Carlsson, but the kid is not playing every game, sitting out of the lineup again on Tuesday night against Fantilli and the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Carlsson is out a non-injury-related decision as the Ducks have made the choice to continue his strength and development program during the 2023-23 season. Here is how Pierre LeBrun explained it on last night’s edition of Insider Trading on TSN.

“Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek sat down with Leo Carlsson and his agent Matt Keator and they came up with this plan which is to limit him to two games per week for the opening two months of the season and then re-evaluating where he is in his game. Verbeek says this is about him having a bigger impact and being fresher in the second half.

“A very interesting approach here but probably a smart one for the second overall pick.”

This is indeed what GM Verbeek explained to The Athletic’s Eric Stephens earlier on Tuesday when it came to the rookie's development and the need to protect the young player earlier on in his career: 

“I played in this league as a 19-year-old. I kind of know at game 40, 42, somewhere in there, I hit a wall. It took me a while to kind of get through that wall, and I don’t want (Carlsson) to go through that.

“I want him to be a horse in the second half of the season. So, we’re going to manage his games for the next couple of months anyways.”

The comments didn't stop one executive to joke to Elliotte Friedman "that Verbeek is sitting Carlsson so he can offer a three-year, $1M extension two years from now."

Carlsson, who missed Anaheim’s first two games of the season due to a lower-body injury, had a great NHL debut Oct. 19 against the Dallas Stars, scoring a goal. In the following contest against the Arizona Coyotes on Saturday, he registered four shots on goal and played 21:33 minutes of ice time.

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