Filip Larsson is known for how well he controls rebounds, so perhaps it was only natural that eventually he’d bounce back and gain a second chance to make the grade as an NHL netminder.

Once thought of as the goalie of the future for the Detroit Red Wings, Larsson could potentially become the goalie of right now for the Pittsburgh Penguins. The club signed the 25-year-old Swedish puckstopper as a free agent during the summer of 2024.

It’s been almost a decade since Larsson was rising through the European amateur ranks as a top netminding prospects. He made all the obligatory stops along this path. Larsson would play for Sweden at the IIHF World Under-18 (2016) and World Junior (2018) Championships. He won silver medals at both tournaments. The Red Wings were impressed enough to tab the Swedish goalie with the 167th pick of the 2016 NHL entry draft.

Larsson was then opting to take a different route than most European goalies. He would opt to cross the Atlantic Ocean to play in the USHL with the Tri-City Storm in 2017-18. It was a decision that would pay immediate dividends. Posting a 1.65 GAA and .941 save percentage, he was named USHL Goaltender of the Year, while also earning selection to the USHL All-Star Team.

Larsson’s next step was to play college hockey for the Denver Pioneers. Again, success was quick to come his way. He would earn NCHC All-Rookie Team status while going 13-6-3 with a 1.95 GAA, .932 save percentage and four shutouts.

Turning pro with the Red Wings organization, as quickly as Larsson’s stock has risen, it would crash and burn. He went 2-5 in seven AHL games for the Grand Rapids Griffins, posting a dismal 4.01 GAA and leaky .843 save percentage. 

For the 2020-21 season, the Red Wings would loan Larsson to Almtuna IS of Hockey Allsvenskan. But after going 1-4 in six games with a 3.54 GAA and .883 save percentage, he’d be loaned out again, this time to Frederikshavn White Hawks of the Danish League.

Let go by Detroit, Larsson spent two more seasons in Hockey Allsvenskan before getting his first chance to play in the SHL when he was signed by Leksands IF in 2023. This would prove to be his big break. Larsson went 19-9-0 with a 1.93 GAA, .920 save percentage and a league-leading five shutouts. 

The Penguins would sign him to a two-year contract on April 29, 2024.