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Devils defenseman Adam Larsson said he'll miss Henrik Tallinder and Johan Hedberg.

(James Guillory/USA Today)

Two of his Swedish mentors are gone, Henrik Tallinder to the Sabres and Johan Hedberg for a tryout with the Rangers, but Devils defenseman Adam Larsson feels a summer of hard work has put him on the brink of a breakthrough season in the NHL.



"I know what it takes and I know what I have to do. I especially have to be stronger and faster. That's what I was working on this summer," Larsson said today. "It's fun to be back around the guys. I'm enjoying it right now."



He couldn't have said that last season, when he played in Albany (AHL) during the lockout and started the season with the Devils as a scratch. When he got into the lineup he was told to keep his game simple and concentrate on defense rather than getting involved too much in the offense.



In fact, Larsson is looking at last season, when he played 37 of the 48 games and had six assists without a goal, in a positive way.



"I think it could be good for me," he said. "I'm a young guy. Not to have that upside all the time and all the bounces. You have to try and see it in a positive way. It's a learning process. That's what I'm trying to do. I'm reloaded after this summer."



Tallinder was critical this week about his own diminished role last season, but Larsson was not.



"The coaches always play the best D-men. It's always up to them. I try to play my best but it's their decision who they put out there," Larrson said.



"I can't say it was a bad season for me. Even when I was down in Albany (AHL) it was a good time for me to play a lot of minutes. I know it will take a couple of years for me to really adjust and get used to the game. This is an important year for me. I have to step up and show the coaches and the organization I can earn a spot for 82 games this season."



He would like to add the offensive side of his game.



"For sure. You always want to show the coaches that you can play defensively. That's what I was trying to do last year," Larsson said. "Of course you want to play on both sides of the ice. Maybe I'll try to be more offensive this year. We'll see what the coaches ask from me."



Is there pressure to be the player the Devils drafted in the first round (fourth overall) in 2011?



"No. Not really. I don't think about that," he said of the high expectations. "I think about what I have to do and what I have to do to help the team. I can't really sit there and think about what other people think of me."



Larsson said he was sad to see Tallinder traded and Hedberg not re-signed.



"Of course I would rather see him here," he said of Tallinder. "He helped me a lot my first two years. At the same time, that's how this league is. It can change quickly.



"He was frustrated, that's for sure. I understand that. I know how it felt. I was in that spot at the end of my first year. You never want to sit in the stands. You always want to play, so it's frustrating when you don't."



Even if it's in a Rangers jersey, like Hedberg.



"I'm glad for him. He told me he still wanted to play when I talked to him last week. He had to get an offer close to his home and family. This is perfect for him. It's kind of sad that we don't have him around. He's a really nice guy."

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Jaromir Jagr was the only player who did not practice in the group that did not play in the scrimmage.

Martin Brodeur, Patrik Elias, Cory Schneider, Dainius Zubrus, Travis Zajac, Mark Fayne, Jon Merrill and Stephen Gionta were among those in the practice group.