Lars Eller

Lars Eller was drafted 13th overall in the 2007 entry draft by the St. Louis Blues. He developed as a hockey player in Sweden and It wasn't until last year that Eller came over to North America. Eller spent the 2009-2010 season with the Peoria Rivermen after being sent down from the Blues. With the Rivermen, Eller managed 57 points in 70 games which was good enough to be selected for the 2009-2010 AHL all star team. This past off-season Lars Eller was traded to the Montreal Canadiens along with Ian Schultz for playoff hero goaltender Jaroslav Halak.

Eller is a talented young forward who has potential to be a top 6 once he matures.  He exhibits a smart hockey sense along with speed and play making ability. Lars Eller is hard to play against and his large 6 foot 2 inch, 198 pound frame works for him and not against him unlike many Montreal Canadiens forwards.

The 2010-2011 season is Eller's rookie campaign and if he can't steal a spot in the Canadiens' top 6 it looks like he will be playing on the the 3rd line for the Canadiens. Lars Eller has much potential and must meet it in order for management to justify trading away one of the best goaltenders in the league.

Lars Eller's strengths include his speed. His speed combined with a good pair of hands makes him a threat on the ice. Eller is also offensively crafty with a good vision for the ice. If he can get adjusted to the speed of the NHL he will be an offensive play making threat. Eller's big body is used to his advantage when he commits himself.

On the downside Lars Eller is a raw talent and has much to learn and improve if he is to live up to the Jaroslav Halak trade. Even though he is a crafty forward his game is fairly simple, a more dynamic and creative game should develop as time goes on and he becomes more and more comfortable at the NHL level.

Points of improvement include his muscle mass, being 6 foot 2 is great but when you are 6 foot 2 inches and under 200 pounds in the NHL you will have problems. Eller also needs to learn to be defensively responsible. But the biggest issue Lars Eller will have will be adjusting to the flow and speed of the big leagues.

Lars Eller is the second highest drafted born and raised Danish player and his father Olaf Eller is a former European professional hockey player and coach.