'OEL's One Of Those Perfect Swedes': Panthers Defenseman Aaron Ekblad Explains What the Maple Leafs are Getting in Oliver Ekman-Larsson
Larsson signed a four-year, $14 million deal after spending last season in Florida.
Oliver Ekman-Larsson is one of the few new faces on the Toronto Maple Leafs' blueline for the upcoming season.
After spending last season with the Florida Panthers where he recorded nine goals and added 23 assists in 80 games, the 33-year-old will be expected to occupy some big minutes after securing a four-year, $14 million deal with Toronto.
OEL's teammate from last season, Aaron Ekblad, was a guest on 'First Up' with Aaron Korolnek and Carlo Colaiacovo and revealed what he learned about the 6-foot-2 blueliner.
“OEL is one of those perfect Swedes, right? You always hear that,' Ekblad said. You know, one of the best guys in the room always, and never really has a bad day.
"He's always smiling, always fun to chat with. And then you're getting a really poised, great puck-moving defenseman who can skate and under pressure and big moments can score. So he does it all. And it was a blessing to play with him for a year and happy for him moving forward.”
Ekman-Larsson joined the Panthers last summer after he was bought out of his contract with the Vancouver Canucks following the end of the 2022-23 season. He was quickly elevated in Panthers' lineup as key players (including Ekblad) were out of the lineup with various injuries.
Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving is making a big bet that the 33-year-old Ekman-Larsson can continue his trajectory of improvement while helping Toronto's new-look defense. The Leafs also signed veteran shutdown D-man Chris Tanev to a six-year, $27 million contract this summer.
The Toronto GM has a previous relationship with both players. Tanev while serving as GM of the Flames and with OEL when he was an assistant GM with the Arizona Coyotes.
In addition to talent, Treliving has tried to identify attributes in players that the Leafs don't have with their current roster. Time will tell if the OEL signing pans out.
Ekman-Larsson has 144 goals and 327 assists in 982 NHL games over his career.
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