Ekman-Larsson was absent from Toronto's practice on Friday due to an illness and his status for Sunday is up in the air. Philippe Myers was recalled from a conditioning loan from the Toronto Marlies (AHL) as defensive depth in case Ekman-Larsson is unable to go. The 33-year-old has been playing well in his first season with the Maple Leafs, picking up a goal and eight points in 20 games played.
Oliver Ekman-Larsson News
Recent cup winner Oliver Ekman-Larsson will join the Toronto Maple Leafs on a four-year deal worth $14.0 million ($3.5M AAV). The 32-year-old is coming off his strongest statistical season since 2018-19 after he had nine goals and 32 points in 80 games with the Panthers in 2023-24.
Ekman-Larsson has been held off the scoresheet in five of his last six games and will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday. Josh Mahura will draw into the lineup as a replacement.
Ekman-Larsson is battling an undisclosed ailment and could miss Tuesday's game against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Ekman-Larsson has been held off the scoresheet in five of his last six games.
Josh Mahura will be a healthy scratch on Thursday, allowing Ekman-Larsson to re-enter the lineup. Ekman-Larsson has 30 points (9G / 21A) in 78 games this season.
Uvis Balinksin will draw into the Panters' lineup on Tuesday, making Ekman-Larsson a healthy scratch. Ekman-Larsson has 30 points (9G / 21A) in 78 games this season.
Ekman-Larsson was forced to leave the Panthers' previous game after taking a high hit from Charlie McAvoy which led to a four-game suspension and was a game-time decision Thursday vs. Detroit. The 32-year-old signed a one-year, $2.25 million contract with the Panthers in the offseason and has a goal, two assists, 21 SOG and six PIMs in eight games this season.
Ekman-Larsson was forced to leave the Panthers' previous game after taking a high hit from Charlie McAvoy which led to a four-game suspension and will be a game-time decision Thursday vs. Detroit. The 32-year-old signed a one-year, $2.25 million contract with the Panthers in the offseason and has a goal, two assists, 21 SOG and six PIMs in eight games this season.
Ekman-Larsson had two goals and 20 assists (22 points) in 54 games with the Canucks last season before being bought out this summer. With Aaron Ekblad and Brandon Montour expected to miss a portion of the early part of next season, Ekman-Larsson provides some veteran depth on the blueline.
Ekman-Larsson carried an $8.25M cap hit over the next four seasons but will now cost them $2.127 million over the next eight seasons. However, his cap hit in 2024 will be just $146,667 per CapFriendly.com. Ekman-Larsson finished the 2023 season with just 22 points (2G / 20A) in 54 games.
Ekman-Larsson has not played since February 15th due to an ankle injury and will now miss the remainder of the 2022-23 season. It puts the lid on an otherwise forgettable season, where the 31-year-old had two goals, 22 points and a -24 plus/minus through 54 games prior to his injury.
Ekman-Larsson left the Canucks previous game after just 4:46 TOI with a lower-body injury and will miss Saturday's game vs. the Flyers. The 31-year-old has two goals, 22 points, 90 SOG, and a -24 plus/minus through 54 games played prior to the injury.
Ekman-Larsson has one goal, 18 assists, 67 SOG, 16 PIMs and -14 plus/minus through 40 games this season but will be a healthy scratch Thursday as they take on the Lightning.
Ekman-Larsson missed Wednesday's game and is expected to miss both games this weekend. Canucks head coach Bruce Boudreau expects Ekman-Larsson to be back in the lineup next week.
Ekman-Larsson was one of the best goal-scoring defensemen in the NHL from 2014-to-2019 but his game has slipped a bit in recent years. Ekman-Larsson has a tough time in his own end but brings an offensive punch to the Canucks' blueline that already features Quinn Hughes. In a full 82-game season, you can almost certainly plug O.E.L in for double-digit goals and 30-plus assists.
Ekman-Larsson was hurt late in Saturday's game on a hit from Evander Kane and is expected to miss an extended period of time. Moving him to IR, means Ekman-Larsson will miss at least three games but the expectation is that he will be out longer than that.