Report: Oliver Ekman-Larsson trade market ‘intensifying’ for Coyotes
Oct 1, 2020, 1:00 PM
Oliver Ekman-Larsson #23 of the Arizona Coyotes during the NHL game against the Montreal Canadiens at Gila River Arena on October 30, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. The Canadiens defeated the Coyotes 4-1. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
The trade market surrounding Arizona Coyotes defenseman and captain Oliver Ekman-Larsson is “intensifying,” according to TSN’s Darren Dreger.
Dreger had reported on Tuesday that the Edmonton Oilers and Boston Bruins were interested in Ekman-Larsson, and that the Oilers have had “discussions” with the Coyotes.
Dreger, however, reports that the Oilers are not on the list of teams Ekman-Larsson would waive his no-trade clause for.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports two of those teams that do make the cut are the Bruins and the Vancouver Canucks, and Craig Morgan of azcoyotesinsider.com notes that Boston is a “favored destination.”
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Ekman-Larsson, 29, agreed to an eight-year extension in July 2018 that runs through the 2026-27 season at an average annual salary of $8.25 million. The general manager, of course, that signed Ekman-Larsson to that extension is no longer with the team, as John Chayka cut ties with Arizona in late July.
Ekman-Larsson was named the Coyotes’ captain in 2018, taking over for Shane Doan, who held the honor from 2003-17. He was previously an alternate captain the last four seasons.
The defenseman has spent his entire career in Arizona since being drafted by the Coyotes sixth overall in the 2009 NHL Draft. Ekman-Larsson has posted at least 20 assists in every season since 2012-13, and last season was the first time in seven seasons that he did not reach double-digit goals.
