"It accentuates that these players -- and I'm not talking about just the Oilers, but I'm talking about athletes -- they're human beings and they have a lot going on in their lives," Oilers coach Todd McLellan said Friday. "Sport tends to be an escape for the fan and it should be, that's what it's there for, but players don't necessarily have that escape, they deal with a lot.
"Adam is dealing with that, it's affected our room immensely, and we'll continue to support the Larsson family, and you won't see him here for a little while because we're going to give him the time that he needs to spend and take care of things."
Robert Larsson was a defenseman for Skelleftea AIK in Sweden from 1985-96. He was selected by the Los Angeles Kings in the sixth round (No. 112) of the 1988 NHL Draft but never played in the NHL.
Sweden flags were being flown at half-mast outside the Skelleftea hockey arena Friday, according to reports.
"On behalf of the Oilers Entertainment Group, Oilers management, staff, players and fans, I would like to extend our deepest condolences to Adam and his family on the passing of his father Robert," Oilers general manager Peter Chiarelli said. "Our thoughts are with the Larsson family during this difficult time."
Adam Larsson, 25, played three seasons for Skelleftea before being selected No. 4 by the New Jersey Devils in the 2011 NHL Draft.
The Oilers acquired Larsson in a trade with the Devils for forward Taylor Hall on June 29, 2016.
