Concerns Over Adam Larsson Potentially Not Signing with Oilers Surface

This past week, chatter started to surface that perhaps Edmonton Oilers pending UFA defenseman Adam Larsson wasn’t quite ready to commit to the team. During his exit interview he seemed to make it clear that he loved Edmonton and wanted to stay, and multiple reports suggested a deal was close between the two sides, but have things changed?

In a recent interview, GM Ken Holland said Larsson was taking his time. Larsson’s agent confirmed that the stay-at-home defender was just thinking about things and taking a little more time. The delay has led to some speculation that Larsson might test free agency and the Oilers could potentially lose him to another team.

Related: Oilers to Take a Big Swing on the Open Market or In Trade [Report]

A recent tweet from a source we can’t confirm is legitimate or not got some attention this weekend. They wrote: “Conversations with Adam Larsson have dramatically cooled down. Larsson’s camp is now leaning towards testing FA. Philly & Boston have shown interest. Holland does not want to engage in bidding war. The Oilers Org was alright with something around 4 million.”

Again, we can’t confirm this information is valid and it runs counter to some of what we’ve heard from other sources. Jason Gregor of TSN 1260 and Oilers Nation recently wrote that the two sides continue to talk and appear to be “in the same ballpark” on term and AAV. Meanwhile, Larsson’s agent J.P. Barry told Daniel Nugent-Bowman of The Athletic (subscription required) that talks are going well:

We’re making progress on a contract. Sometimes teams like to move quicker than players. He’s just thinking about everything. We’re getting there. There are a few things we can still discuss.

We’d like to get some term. He’s a pretty young free agent defenseman.

Should There Really Be Any Concern?

It certainly is possible that Larsson looks around before committing with the Oilers. He’s likely to get less in Edmonton than he will with another team and he’ll need to know how much less or if he’d be happy with a whatever franchise offers him more. He may find that only struggling clubs offer up bigger money. He may find the difference in contracts in marginal.

At the same time, it wasn’t likely the Oilers and Larsson were going to get a deal done before the NHL Expansion Draft. It would serve the Oilers better not to have to protect Larsson, let Seattle make their selections and then sign Larsson afterward. With that delay comes an opening for fans to get nervous. After all, a deal isn’t technically done, until it’s done.

Finally, this could be a leverage move by Larsson’s camp. Simply saying that a player wants to see what’s out there leaves the current GM with a choice. Up the offer a little, or make sure the player knows the team has made their best offer and it will be waiting for them after the see whatever it is they need to see.

As pointed out by Zach Laing of OilersNation.com, “According to Evolving Hockey’s contract projections, Larsson is projected to get a four-year, $3.615-million deal re-signing with the Oilers, and a five-year, $4.11-million deal should he decide to walk.” Is that difference of $500K enough to see Larsson really walk away?

Next: Landeskog and Avalanche to Follow Oilers Lead on New Long-Term Deal?