The comparable Victor Hedman stepped straight in from the SEL and posted 20 points and a -3. If Larsson somehow does crack the lineup its not like he will put up 50 points(if ever) and be this huge shutdown d man. Too many Devil fans are looking at him as being the next Lidstrom or Niedermayer and are expecting huge production numbers unfortunately. I'm not sure if he's ready but Conte/Lou seem to think so and they are some of the best in the business.
We also have a surplus of defensive prospects/verging players looking to crack the lineup(Larsson, Urbom, Gelinas, Fayne, Salmela, Taormina, Fraser, Eckford, Corrente). Since White, Volchenkov, Tallinder, and presumabley Greene all have spots I think its time Lou tries to package one of Taormina/Eckford, and as stated quite often Zubrus/Clarkson to gain some slight cap room and free up this clog and give these guys a shot at cracking a lineup permanently. I feel as though Corrente and Eckford's chance to make the team has passed. We'll see.