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Ekman-Larsson Responds to Coyotes Request to Expand NHL Trade List

Oliver Ekman-Larsson has been asked to expand his trade-approved list by the Arizona Coyotes. What was his response?

According to reports, the Arizona Coyotes have asked defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson to expand his trade-approved teams list. Speculation is that he’s got only two clubs — the Boston Bruins and Vancouver Canucks — on his list. The problem for Arizona, that doesn’t create a lot of leverage to get a deal done, nor does it mean being able to choose the best return.

Ekman-Larsson’s response to the request was “no.”

Related: Armstrong Makes Adjustments to Arizona’s Amateur Scouting Staff

This comes as per Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, who reported Saturday evening on Sportsnet’s Hockey Central that Arizona is looking to see if there are better options out there. He explains the defenseman isn’t really concerned about that. “Ekman-Larsson is only willing to stay at Boston or Vancouver, so that’s how Arizona has to proceed if it wants to get this done,” said Friedman.

Apparently, new general manager for the Coyotes, Bill Armstrong is looking to obtain a prospect, a first-round pick and a second-round pick as the key to any deal. It’s unlikely either team is offering that and they can’t on the first-rounder since neither team has one to trade. What they might be offering is contracts back and some prospects.

In Vancouver’s case, it is believed the Canucks are trying to move Loui Eriksson in any deal along with any picks so that Vancouver can free up the money needed. That’s not exactly the ideal situation for Arizona even if the Canucks retain some of Eriksson’s salary. Could Micheal Ferland be involved here? Possibly considering his injury situation leaves Ferland’s future in question.

In Boston’s case, David Kreijci is the guy Boston would probably like to move the other way. Again, this isn’t a deal Arizona probably wants to take on. The Bruins can offer next season’s first-round pick but who knows if Arizona wants that either.

Could This Be Posturing by Armstrong?

While unlikely, perhaps news leaking that Armstrong is asking Ekman-Larsson to expand his list isn’t so much about getting other teams involved (although there are other rumors be interested) but to up the value of the returns. If either the Canucks or the Bruins believe Armstrong doesn’t like the deal as is, they’ll either need to improve their offers or walk away. In that case, the Coyotes would simply keep the defenseman.

On the surface, neither of these two teams feel like a natural fit when it comes to the Coyotes ideal trade partner. That doesn’t mean it’s impossible, it’s just certainly not as simple as Ekman-Larsson saying that’s where he’d like to go and making it happen.

Next: Taylor Hall Open to Short-Term Deals in NHL Free Agency

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