The post Maple Leafs’ Oliver Ekman-Larsson makes clear trade desire originally appeared on The Sporting News. Click here to add Sports News as your go-to source.
The Toronto Maple Leafs haven’t accomplished what they need to do during their Olympic break.
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The Maple Leafs need to keep up a quick win streak to avoid becoming sellers before the NHL trade deadline on March 6, but instead they’ve lost back-to-back games. That leaves a number of players as potential trade targets, including Oliver Ekman-Larsson.
However, it sounds like the veteran defenseman would rather stay put.
Maple Leafs reporter Nick Alberga posted the following on X:
“We’ll see what happens, but he doesn’t want to go anywhere. He loves Toronto. He wants to stay in Toronto. He wants to win in Toronto.”
Because of Ekman-Larsson’s wealth of experience, he could be one of the more desirable players the Maple Leafs offer to competing teams at the deadline.
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That means Ekman-Larsson’s desire to stay could end up working against the Maple Leafs’ hopes of regrouping next season.
Ekman-Larsson does have a 16-team trade roster, according to Alberga, but that gives the Maple Leafs enough room to get something done.
This season, Ekman-Larsson has eight goals and 27 assists (35 points) in 59 games.
The 34-year-old did win a Stanley Cup during his career with the Florida Panthers a few seasons ago, so he’s proven he can get it done on the big stage.
If he is indeed in the box, the team will certainly want OEL, regardless of his current thoughts on leaving Toronto. He is a reliable veteran who is sure to be a solid presence on defense no matter which team adds him.
