Two-Time All-Star Defenseman Signs with the Maple Leafs
Longtime defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson has been around the block in his 14-year career, and coming into the 2023-24 season, he was chasing a Stanley Cup with the Panthers, with whom he signed a one-year contract in 2023. After playing in just 54 games with the Canucks in 2022–23, Ekman–Larsson was able to return to the ice with the Panthers. He was a vital defensive presence, applying pressure to opposing teams' attacks in their own zone and helping the Panthers win their first Stanley Cup Championship in franchise history. Due to his dependable defense and forechecking skills, Ekman-Larsson was a player that several teams were interested in signing this summer when he entered free agency. Now, the Maple Leafs have signed Ekman-Larsson to a four-year deal, worth $14 million.
The Arizona Coyotes selected Ekman-Larsson with the sixth overall selection in the 2009 NHL Draft. Ekman-Larsson, 32, played hockey for the Tingsryds AIF and Leksands IF in his native Sweden for four seasons altogether before entering the NHL. Ekman-Larsson played with the Coyotes for 11 seasons. During that time, he established himself as a vital member of the defense by scoring goals when necessary and being an aggressive player who made opponents nervous when they were in their own zone. During the 2014–15 season, Ekman–Larsson made NHL history by becoming the first defenseman of Swedish descent to score 20 goals or more in a single season. He also finished his Coyotes career leading the team in goals scored by a defenseman with 128 and most power-play goals with 41.
After only scoring 10 goals in total over the previous three seasons, Ekman-Larsson's offensive output saw a boost with the Panthers last season in 80 games played. He concluded the regular season with nine goals, 23 assists, and 32 points. Ekman-Larsson contributed two goals, four assists, and six points during the Panthers’ journey to hoisting the Stanley Cup in the postseason. Ekman-Larsson put on his strongest performance of the season on November 12th against the Blackhawks, with two shots on goal, one going into the net, one assist, and two points. Entering next season with the Maple Leafs, Ekman-Larsson will provide a stabilizing force to a Maple Leafs’ defensive unit that has aspirations of being a major part of their team’s success in 2024-25.
