Maple Leafs’ Projected Asking Price For Oliver Ekman-Larsson Seems High

All eyes are on the Toronto Maple Leafs as the trade deadline approaches, and everyone wonders whether they’ll become sellers. It’s difficult to believe that the team could go from being one of the regular-season powers of the Atlantic Division to the bottom in just one season, but that’s the reality Brad Treliving is facing. One possible trade candidate for the Leafs is defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson.

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Ekman-Larsson has two years remaining after this one with a $3.5 million cap hit. He has been one of the bright spots for the team compared to his expectations, but you have to believe he’d fetch Toronto the type of return that could accelerate a retool. The former Stanley Cup Champion has some qualities that contending teams would value, but he might not be worth the first-round pick that Leafs’ analyst Carlo Coliacovo believes he is.

It’s easy for Leafs supporters to look at Ekman-Larsson’s game and believe he’s worthy of a first-round pick. However, the defender is a third-pairing option on a contending team, nothing more, nothing less. Ekman-Larsson, being the bright spot on Toronto’s blueline at this point in his career, only further explains why the Leafs are in last place in the Atlantic Division.

Writer’s Proposed Maple Leafs-Oilers Trade

NHL Trade Rumors writer Rob Ellis proposed a trade that would send Ekman-Larsson to the Edmonton Oilers for a first-round pick and a roster player to make the salaries work for the Oilers. The obvious roster return would be Andrew Mangiapane, who the Leafs reportedly had some interest in, and makes $100,000 more per year than Ekman-Larsson.

The Oilers using their 2027 first-round pick to add Ekman-Larsson seems far-fetched. Edmonton would likely have to add something to the deal to make it seem more appealing to Toronto, but one of their mid-round picks in 2026 would make more sense.

The Oilers have limited assets to improve their team and get them over the hump. While Ekman-Larsson brings some depth to the blueline, any contending team is only going to trade a first-rounder if the player coming back can win them a Stanley Cup. Ekman-Larsson doesn’t move the needle enough at this point in his career to do that.

Next: Trade Pitch Would See Maple Leafs and Oilers Link Up on Multi-Player Deal