Anaheim Ducks

Ducks draft Swedish defenseman Jacob Larsson

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 10:58 p.m. ET

foxsports

After the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft, the bigger picture has yet to emerge in Anaheim.

The Anaheim Ducks drafted Swedish defenseman Jacob Larsson with the 27th overall pick. Larsson projects to be similar to current Ducks blue liner Hampus Lindholm, with more of an offensive upside.

"Jacob is a puck-moving defenseman, mobile and smart on the ice," said Ducks director of scouting Martin Madden. "It's exciting to know he is still developing into the player we believe he will become. We were very fortunate to have the opportunity to select him with the 27th overall pick."

But before the Ducks went on the clock, they dealt right winger Kyle Palmieri to the New Jersey Devils for the 41st pick in this year's draft and next year's third-round pick. Palmieri was born in New York but raised in New Jersey and may not even know that he's going back home: He's currently out of the country and unreachable by phone.

The teams cannot officially announce the deal until Palmieri is reached. General manager Bob Murray was not made available for comment, but is expected to talk to reporters Saturday, after the deal becomes official.

With Matt Beleskey (22 goals) about to become a free agent and Palmieri (14 goals) back in his native New Jersey, the Ducks have now rid themselves of two key goal scorers. Palmieri was slated to make $1.6 million next season.

As for Larsson, he was the No. 3 rated European player in this year's draft class. Listed at 6-foot-2, 191 pounds, the 18-year-old has played with a few other Anaheim prospects on the national team. Although he hasn't played with Lindholm, Rickard Rakell or Jakob Silfverberg, he's familiar with all three of Swedish countrymen.

.@JacobLarsson3: "It felt really good to be drafted by Anaheim. We had a few interviews (at the combine and in Sweden). I'm proud of it."
— Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) June 27, 2015

"I'm a two-way defender who likes to go after the offense and get some points," he sad. "That's my type of game."

The draft forced Larsson to give up a childhood allegiance. After traveling to Toronto and attending a Maple Leafs game as a child, he became fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Friday night, he formally renounced his Leafs fandom and went all in on his new club.

.@JacobLarsson3, when asked to describe his style of play: "I'm a two-way defender who likes to jump into the offensive zone."
— Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) June 27, 2015

"Not anymore," he said. "It's Anaheim now."