Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving may have his best chance at dealing Oliver Ekman-Larsson as a new report shows there might be a dogfight over who gets him.
Either way, you can expect the trade rumours to keep ramping up and it seems likelier and likelier that a move is going to be made eventually it’s just a matter of who and when.
Oliver Ekman-Larsson getting more attention as deadline draws closer
One name who been getting a lot of attention is defenceman Oliver Ekman-Larsson as he’s been someone who not only is putting on a vintage performance, but would be perfect for a contender to bring aboard.
He’s a Stanley Cup winner and a veteran of over 1,000 games so you’re adding someone who has been through it all and it sounds like there’s going to be a bit of a battle for him.
According to David Pagnotta, there have been a few teams checking in on Ekman-Larsson as his name gets thrown around a bit more — and it could work out great in Toronto’s favour:
I think teams started poking around a little bit on Oliver Ekman-Larsson. If somebody’s willing to pay a premium, I think they’d consider it.
Ekman-Larsson’s price will skyrocket the more teams want him
If there is going to be a dogfight for Ekman-Larsson between a handful of teams, Toronto can use their desperation to settle for a deal that’s best for them. If Edmonton offers a couple of second-round picks and another adds a first — do the Oilers sweeten the pot?
Then we get into someone like Isaac Howard going the other way if Edmonton can’t use a first, and for Toronto to get a former first-round pick with such high potential and upside in addition to draft capital is an absolute steal.
Ekman-Larsson, 34, has 34 points in 57 games this season for the Maple Leafs (8 goals, 26 assists) while also adding 69 hits, 48 blocks and a minus-one in 20:45 TOI.
The time to win for Toronto might be closing sooner than expected, but the window to trade OEL is as open as ever, and it could be the smartest move the team makes this deadline.
Previously on Hockey Patrol