“The Leafs, I’m told, have a number one for Oliver Ekman-Larsson. That’s what I’m hearing through the grapevine.” This quote comes from Oilers Now host Bob Stauffer, who revealed that he believes a team has already stepped up to the plate and offered a first-round pick in trade.
Trade chatter has been swirling around the Toronto Maple Leafs and veteran defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson for some time. The Oilers are believed to be interested. It just wasn’t clear what the cost to acquire him might be. While it’s unclear if the Oilers are the team that offered the first-rounder, it seems like it’s going to take that much to get it done.
If true, that suggests Toronto has already secured — or at least been offered a return that the Oilers have to be uncomfortable with. If not the Oilers, GM Stan Bowman might likely have to up whatever offer he intends to make. However, if Edmonton made the offer, it goes to show how badly they want the left-shot defenseman.
So Why Haven’t The Maple Leafs Said Yes?
What’s intriguing about all this is why a trade isn’t done if a first-rounder is on the table. The Leafs can’t possibly expect to get more than that. Maybe they believe they can extract even more value. Or, with a 16-team no-trade clause, maybe Ekman-Larsson is playing a factor here.
Toronto is under pressure to restock its draft capital. Perhaps they’re waiting until the last possible moment to make his deal. They have about four days to decide whether the offer they have is enough or if they truly believe another team will step up. The only risk they run is that whatever team is offering a first may move on.
Either way, if the Oilers were planning to make a blockbuster offer for multiple pieces, their deal might have hit a roadblock. ‘I wonder if there’s a package to be built such as a 2027 first, a 2027 second, and Mangiapane and a prospect, for OEL and Nicolas Roy,’ one person asked. Stauffer said, “I’m going to tell you right now, I don’t believe that gets done for those combinations of players.”
Next: “Makar Number” Means No Kadri in Colorado: Maple Leafs Center New Target?
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