22 Johan Larsson C

Larsson put pen to paper on a one-year, $1.55 million contract extension with Buffalo on Friday.

Larsson -- who was handed a qualifying offer by the club -- tied himself to the Sabres for at least one more year. The 26-year-old notched 14 points in 73 games last season while slotted primarily into a bottom-six role. It should be more of the same for the Swede heading into the 2019-20 campaign with his ceiling likely in the 20-point range.

Larsson was given a qualifying offer by the Sabres on Tuesday, Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo News reports.

Larsson signing the qualifying offer would result in him staying with Buffalo on a one-year pact rather than testing free agency. Considering he had just 14 points in 73 games last season, Larsson's probably better off sticking with the Sabres, as the interest in him on the market would be tepid at best.

Reports indicating Larsson would be leaving the Sabres to return to Brynas IF (SHL) appear to be premature, as the Swedish club's general manager denied the two sides have talked, Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo News reports.

Larsson will be a restricted free agent this summer, so it's still possible he will head overseas if he doesn't land a suitable offer from Buffalo. If he does remain in the NHL, the 26-year-old figures to slot into a bottom-six role and could provide decent depth scoring.

Larsson will return to Brynas IF (SHL) after seven seasons in the NHL, Paul Hamilton of WGR Sports Radio 550 reports.

Larsson was set to be a restricted free agent this summer, but rather than re-sign with Buffalo, the center will head back to his native Sweden. The 26-year-old came up through the Brynas youth system before joining the senior team in 2010-11. In 331 NHL appearances, Larsson registered 32 goals, 47 assists and 164 PIM. While it seems unlikely, it's not impossible that Larsson will return to North America at some point in the future.

Larsson picked up an assist in Thursday's loss to the Red Wings.

Larsson has been playing some of his best hockey lately, posting four points in the past seven contests. He's up to 14 points in 62 games, just three points shy of his 2017-18 total. He has a minus-6 rating on the campaign, but it's a huge improvement over last season's minus-30 rating.

Larsson failed to record a point, finishing with a minus-1 rating in Thursday's 5-0 loss to Pittsburgh.

With just 10 points through 61 games, Larsson holds little fantasy value in 2018-19. Since Jan. 1, the fourth-liner has scored one goal and tallied three assists in 27 games. We recommend looking elsewhere to fill out your fantasy rosters.

Larsson scored to seal the victory in Tuesday's matchup with the Islanders.

Larsson picked up his first goal of 2019, leaving him with five goals and nine points on the campaign. He's been earning more ice time as of late, playing over 17 minutes in two of his last three contests. He could be in line for a slight uptick in production for the second half of the season should he continue to receive these opportunities. That said, he'll typically be stuck on a bottom line.

Larsson (upper body) will be in the lineup versus Carolina on Thursday, Mike Harrington of The Buffalo News reports.

Larsson missed the Sabres' last two contests due to his upper-body issue, but wil slot back into the lineup, likely as the fourth-line center. Considering the 26-year-old has only eight points in 44 games this season, fantasy owners probably will want to look elsewhere for depth scoring options. Tage Thompson will be the odd man out with Larsson back to 100 percent.

Larsson (upper body) won't play Tuesday against the Wild.

Larsson will miss a second consecutive contest with an upper-body injury. With only eight points in 44 appearances, the 26-year-old's absence likely won't be felt by too many in the fantasy hockey community. Only in the deepest of leagues should Larsson be relevant, as he's never once exceeded 17 points in a single season.

Coach Phil Housley called Larsson (upper body) a game-time decision for Tuesday's showdown with the Wild, WGR Sports Radio 550 reports.

Larsson's availability (or lack thereof) should be confirmed when the Sabres go through their pregame warmups approximately 30 minutes prior to the 7 p.m. EST puck drop. The upper-body injury kept Larsson out of the Sabres' 7-3 loss to the Blackhawks on Friday, marking the center's first absence since Oct. 18.

Larsson (upper body) has not been ruled out ahead of Tuesday's game versus the Wild, Paul Hamilton of WGR Sports Radio 550 reports.

Phil Housley, when asked Monday about Larsson's status for Tuesday's game, would not say either way whether the center would play or not, instead opting to consider the 26-year-old "day-to-day." Even if he does return after missing one game, dressing Larsson in fantasy seems like a risky play, considering he's managed only eight points in 44 games.

Larsson has an upper-body injury and is considered day-to-day, Mike Harrington of The Buffalo News reports.

Larsson didn't participate in line rushes during practice and wasn't expected to play, so this report serves to clarify since he hasn't been a healthy scratch this season. The 26-year-old has just eight points in 44 games, meaning his absence won't affect the fantasy realm. He'll look to return Tuesday versus the Wild.

Larsson picked up an assist in Friday's loss to Vancouver.

The assist brings Larsson up to eight points in 42 games, three of which have come in the last 10 contests. Larsson offers some category coverage with his 53 hits and 26 blocks, but only for the deepest of leagues.

Larsson scored a goal on his only shot in a 2-1 loss to the Capitals on Saturday.

That gives Larsson two goals in his last seven games, but he only has three goals (and two assists) on the season. The 26-year-old is centering Buffalo's fourth line, which limits his fantasy ceiling. Larsson has never had more than 17 points in a season, so this kind of production is to be expected.

Larsson picked up his second goal of the year during Tuesday's win over the Kings.

Larsson tallied the equalizing goal in the third period, helping his Sabres overcome a 3-1 deficit to win in overtime. The goal snapped an eight-game point drought, and brings him up to four points in 25 games. At this rate, it's looking unlikely that he'll surpass last year's total of 17 points.

Larsson lit the lamp for the first time this year during Wednesday's win over Philadelphia.

It took 16 games, but he finally broke through with a goal, and snapped a seven-game point drought in the process. Larsson's playing on the fourth line, where he has just three points on the year. Despite the goal, he isn't a reliable source for any category at the moment. Not only is his scoring down, but he's also hitting less. Larsson has 15 hits in 16 games so far, after posting 117 hits in 80 games last season.

Larsson is still searching for his first goal of the campaign.

Larsson isn't expected to light the lamp much, but as someone who posted 10 goals back in 2015-16, it would appear he has more to give offensively. He started the year on Buffalo's third line, but has since been shifted down to the fourth. Don't expect much production from him for the time being, as his biggest asset comes in the form of killing penalties.

Larsson (foot) will make his season debut versus the Avalanche on Thursday, Paul Hamilton of WGR Sports Radio 550 reports.

Larsson, who will bump Remi Elie from the lineup, has "worked his way back into the lineup," according to Sabres coach Phil Housley, who adds that he's looking for offensive contributions from the Swedish forward. All signs point to Larsson showing up on the third line, flanking prized rookie Casey Mittelstadt and lining up opposite Blues offseason castoff Tage Thompson.

Larsson (foot) will miss Monday's clash with Vegas, Mike Harrington of The Buffalo News reports.

Larsson has started practicing with the team -- which is no doubt a step in the right direction -- but Monday's matchup comes too soon for the center to slot into the lineup. Remi Elie figures to be the odd man out once Larsson is cleared to return, perhaps as soon as Thursday's tilt against Colorado. The Sabres will need to activate Larsson off injured reserve and make a corresponding move in order to make space for him on the 23-man roster.

Larsson (foot) took part in practice Sunday. His game status for Monday against Vegas has yet to be determined.

Larsson was injured blocking a shot in preseason and was placed on injured reserve to start the season. He is eligible to return for Monday's game, but there hasn't been a decision made yet. In practice, the 26-year-old rotated in with the second line that features Kyle Okposo, Jeff Skinner and Patrik Berglund.