Ducks aren't using training wheels with top pick Leo Carlsson

It's safe to say 2023 second-overall pick Leo Carlsson hit the ground running in his NHL debut on Thursday.

While the Anaheim Ducks were unable to upset the Dallas Stars, Carlsson made his mark, scoring on a 2-on-1 rush to tie the game in the third period.

The fact the young Swede scored isn't that notable in and of itself — although he deserves credit for a nice shot on the play — but how the Ducks deployed him is.

Despite the fact Carlsson missed the end of the preseason and the first two regular-season games with a lower-body injury, Anaheim gave him 19 minutes of ice time on Thursday. Not only that, but he played alongside the team's two best offensive threats, Trevor Zegras and Troy Terry.

For a little perspective, Connor Bedard is the only rookie forward averaging more than 19 minutes of ice time per game (20:53). Even Logan Cooley, who has hit the ground running in Arizona, is skating 18:37 per night and centering the Coyotes' second line.

That precise ice-time number will clearly fluctuate, but it's apparent that Carlsson has a massive role with the Ducks, playing with established offensive producers at even strength, and featuring on the first power-play unit.

Third-overall pick Adam Fantilli is an interesting comparison point, who many preferred to Carlsson entering the draft. The American is skating 15:09 per night with the Columbus Blue Jackets, playing on the second line and power-play group.

Anaheim's lack of viable top-of-the-lineup alternatives might be driving their aggressive deployment of Carlsson to some degree, but its immediate-term competitive needs are far less important than the center's development.

It may be the Ducks believe the best way to get Carlsson from where he is to a place where he can be a top-line center — and a critical part of their core — is to throw him in the deep end. For certain players, that's undoubtedly the case.

There would be no sense in the Blackhawks bringing Bedard along slowly, for instance. While his point production has been relatively modest in the early going, he's clearly ready to take on significant responsibility at the NHL level.

For Carlsson, the situation is a little more ambiguous.

While the rookie is clearly skilled — and physically developed at 6-foot-3 and 194 pounds — he's also coming of a season where he posted 25 points in 44 games in Sweden. During the preseason he was held off the scoresheet in four games. The Ducks were outscored 4-0 when he was on the ice at 5v5 with an xGF percentage of 26.07%.

While it's hard to argue with the goal Carlsson scored in his debut, there isn't that much evidence he's ready to be a significant offensive producer at the NHL level, yet. That's not an indictment on his talent by any means, it's just tough to break through at his age and stage.

From Anaheim's perspective, there isn't a ton of downside in pushing Carlsson as long as the team is willing to be flexible if he falters. Committing to first-line usage come hell or high water might not be advisable, but head coach Greg Cronin will always have the option to shake things up should his highly-touted rookie flounder.

It's interesting to see the Ducks use Carlsson so aggressively off the hop. If he can keep his head above water while gaining experience alongside talented skill players it will be a win for Anaheim.

His play will tell the Ducks whether his usage has to change. If it never does, that'd be a strong indication that Anaheim has got itself a good one.