Oliver Ekman-Larsson is one of the most interesting names on the rumor mill lately, with the Arizona Coyotes destined for a finish near the bottom of the league once again. The 26-year old defenseman will be a free agent in the summer of 2019, but Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun writes that the team will have to make a decision before that.
Garrioch reports that the asking price for Ekman-Larsson right now is two high-end roster players and a first-round pick, a prohibitive package for any team really trying to compete this year. Still, the Maple Leafs, Devils and Flyers have all apparently shown interest in the defender in the past, and several other teams would surely jump in if the price dropped closer to the deadline.
- The Czech Republic released their Olympic team for the upcoming Games, including familiar NHL names like Martin Erat, Roman Cervenka and Jiri Sekac. Like the other countries, the Czech team is made up of professionals scattered across various European leagues and the KHL.
- Dylan Sikura continues to impress at Northeastern with 30 points in his first 19 games, and as Scott Powers of The Athletic writes, the Chicago Blackhawks have more than just an eye on him for the end of the season. The Blackhawks fully intend to sign Sikura and add him to the NHL roster after his NCAA career comes to an end, though depending on how far his school goes in the final tournament if could throw a wrench into those plans. Powers excellently details all the possibilities for Sikura, including waiting until August 15th to become an unrestricted free agent. Though that technically could happen still, it seems extremely unlikely that he’d do anything but sign with the Blackhawks at this point.
If the leafs are able to pull off a trade I really hope they send Gardiner
It said the rumour is two “high-end” roster players. Gardiner is not a high-end player. Leafs would have to send some sort of package including JVR, Liljegren, Zaitsev and a first rounder imo.
You’re out to lunch. Why would they want JVR? Leafs would be moving only a little better than laterally going to OEL from Zaitsev. Making a hole to fill one is nonsensical. Liljegren and a 1st make sense. One more piece Brown, Kapanen or Leivo would fit what rumour spreaders are saying. More than that would be an overpay IMO.
Don’t think that they’d have have to include Zaitsev as he’s the leafs top defenseman. Doubt ARZ would be interested in JVR as he’s a pending free agent unless they agree to an extension before hand. No matter what happens though ARZ is giving up the beat player in the deal.
Gardiner is a meh point. Yotes want young controllable guys that show the upside of Ekman-Larson from 3 years ago. Gardiner is 1 year older. And the contract differential is only 1.5 mill. Gardiner for Ekman would need to include many pluses from the leafs.
I’m not sure why the Flyers would want Ekman-Larson. Although he has put up some great offensive numbers in the past, his plus/minus is in the negative for most of his career which is concerning. Also, he will be a free agent in 2019.
He’s played on a lot of bad teams anyone’s plus/minus would be bad.
Flyers may not be on the top of the list but any team should want him. If they can afford the contract. 5.5 for another year. His upside is towards, not equal but towards Karlson. Probably a better defender with great offensive upside. And somewhat proven. The downside is he’s played for a horrible coyote team for his career.
It is somewhat a reflection of the team he has been playing for. Look at Smith in Calgary…lol
Smith hasn’t been that great in Calgary this year. Better than anyone since Kipper sure, but that’s not saying a lot. Yes ek-l may look better on a better team but he’s also not 300 years old.