This offseason was a trying one between the Arizona Coyotes and defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson. The blueliner’s name was discussed in trade rumors, he was asked if he would waive his no-move clause and he allowed the Coyotes to explore a deal with either the Boston Bruins or Vancouver Canucks. A trade never materialized despite the fact it was clear the organization was hoping to move his salary in a deal.
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Jose M. Romero of the Arizona Republic got the chance to sit down with the Coyotes captain and spoke about those trade talks and now his return to the Coyotes. After making himself available in trade, then pulling that from the team who ultimately kept him on the roster, what comes next?
Ekman-Larsson recently returned to Arizona and is preparing to join his teammates for a workout out at Gila River Arena on Monday. For a lot of players, it would be fair to assume after trade rumors and talk the organization wanted to part ways, there might be some, uneasiness, tension or even hostility as the two sides try to get back to work. The defenseman maintains he’s “really glad” he’s a Coyote and has no hard feelings.
Ekman-Larsson acknowledged that it was a tough offseason and he wasn’t excited about the idea of having to play elsewhere but noted that he understood the Coyotes needed to make a business decision. Specifically, when it came to any tension between he and new general manager Bill Armstrong, Ekman-Larsson didn’t believe there would be any. In fact, he defended the new GM saying it was probably a very difficult spot to be thrown into.
Will Ekman-Larsson Still Consider a Trade?
Craig Morgan of the AZ Coyotes Insider also weighed in on the defenseman’s future with the team and notes that Ekman-Larsson didn’t shoot down the possibility of having to go through this process again with the team.
Knowing next offseason will be just as trying financially for teams (maybe more so), when asked if he would consider a trade again if the Coyotes approached him, all he would say was that he’d cross that bridge if it came to it. He said he expects that he’ll be sitting down with Armstrong at some point to talk all of this through.
Any future trade request could be based on how well the Coyotes do this season. If they struggle, it’s hard to imagine the team doesn’t entertain the idea of seeing if there is market out there for him.
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