The Anaheim Ducks are taking a unique approach with Leo Carlsson's development, opting to play the rookie only twice per week and not on back-to-back nights.
Despite an eagerness to get into game action, the 2023 second-overall pick is on board with the plan.
"It feels good," Carlsson told NHL.com's Amalie Benjamin. "Of course, after the Arizona game, I wanted to keep playing games because it felt so good, but I believe in the plan, too, getting bigger and strong and stuff like that."
Carlsson has only dressed in three of Anaheim's seven contests so far but has received big minutes in each. He played 19:00 in his debut against the Dallas Stars and soared above 22 minutes in his two-point outing versus the Boston Bruins on Thursday.
"It's pretty easy, I think, because if you miss a game, you have so much energy for the next game and are just so excited for the next game," Carlsson said.
The development plan is focused on allowing Carlsson to build up over the campaign and improve his strength, power, and speed with additional time that would otherwise be spent preparing for games.
"It's a great plan," Carlsson's agent Matt Keator said. "Because he's not going to wear down. He's going to have more energy and he's going to have more strength. I don't think the Ducks are planning on winning the Cup this year - though you never know - and I just think for him it's almost similar to what he would be doing if he was in Europe, but he's doing it here."
Carlsson joins the NHL from Sweden's top professional league, which has a 52-game regular season.
Linemate Troy Terry admitted he'd like to see Carlsson get into more games, but acknowledged the development plan is in the 18-year-old's best interest long term.
"I know he's on this development program and it's frustrating for me sometimes because I love playing with him," Terry said. "But how, I think, dominating he can be already, if you can get him even stronger, I think it's scary."
The 3-4-0 Ducks face the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday. Carlsson's status for the contest has yet to be announced.
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