According to various Swedish reports earlier today, Buffalo Sabres forward Johan Larsson might be heading home with rumours that he already has or will be signing with Brynäs next season.
Johan Larsson lämnar NHL och återvänder till @Brynas
Enligt uppgifter till @Radiosporten här i VM staden Bratislava vill Larsson flytta hem och spela för klubben han vann SM guld med 2012— Magnus Wahlman (@magnus_wahlman) May 14, 2019
However, NHL media later in the day denied the reports, saying they are untrue and that the forward would be staying in North America next season. Larsson is set to become a restricted free agent this summer after earning $1.475 million this past season with the Sabres. The 26-year-old just finished his sixth season with the Sabres organization but has spent much of his recent time playing on the fourth line.
Johan Larsson’s agent, Craig Oster, tells me there’s no truth to the report he’s signed in Brynas.
“Johan is looking forward to continuing his NHL career next season.”
— Joe Yerdon (@JoeYerdon) May 14, 2019
Larsson recorded six goals and eight assists for 14 points in 73 games this past season. He has never eclipsed the 20-point mark in the NHL, with his best season being a 17-point campaign in 2015-16.
The center also previously played for the Minnesota Wild, who drafted him 56th overall in 2010. In addition, he spent parts of three seasons with the AHL’s Rochester Americans, including a 41-point campaign in 51 games during the 2013-14 season.
If he does indeed leave the NHL to return to Sweden – and nothing is confirmed just yet – it wouldn’t be shocking. Larsson played two seasons with Brynäs IF Gavle from 2010-12, and won the championship with the team in 2012.
Since coming to North America, he’s appeared in 331 NHL games and recorded 79 points, including 47 assists, in that stretch. He’s also accrued 164 penalty minutes.