NHL team admits they plan on 'load managing' top prospect

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Cooper Godin
October 27, 2023 (8:02)

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The 2023-24 National Hockey League season is only two weeks old and one team will reportedly manage the workload of their top prospect.

According to Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff, the Anaheim Ducks plan on managing the workload of 2023 second overall pick Leo Carlsson, at least for the first half of the season.

Going to be interesting to monitor No. 2 ov pick Leo Carlsson's "development and strength plan" w/ #NHLDucks.

It's different. Plan calls for training and load management for first half of szn to make sure the 18 y/o can withstand rigors of #NHL and set him up for 20 yr career." Seravalli said.

He added, "Hence, why you won't see Carlsson face off against No. 3 overall pick Adam Fantilli in Columbus tonight.

Carlsson will have scheduled games off as they make their way through first few months. No set schedule yet. But he will still play in majority of #NHLDucks games this szn."

It's understandable that the Anaheim Ducks want to be cautious with their top prospect and ensure that he'll be able to play a full 82-game season throughout his career, but at the same time, having him sit in the press box certainly won't help his development.

Carlsson has the talent to become an elite first-line player in the National Hockey League and in order to reach that potential, he needs to be playing every night. But the Ducks brass wants to be careful, and there's no shame in that. Carlsson has played quite a lot of hockey over the last 12 months - from the Swedish Hockey League to the World Juniors and World Championship back in May.

The Anaheim Ducks are set up for a solid future with players like Trevor Zegras, Mason McTavish, Leo Carlsson, Jamie Drysdale, Pavel Mintyukov and Olen Zellweger just to name a few. By managing Carlsson's workload this season, the Ducks are hoping he'll be able to play every night next season and beyond as they search for their second Stanley Cup in franchise history.