ARIZONA COYOTES

Coyotes’ Oliver Ekman-Larsson sets trade deadline eyeing Bruins, Canucks

Oct 6, 2020, 9:33 AM | Updated: 5:09 pm

FILE - This Jan. 6, 2019, file photo shows Arizona Coyotes defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson skating ...

FILE - This Jan. 6, 2019, file photo shows Arizona Coyotes defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson skating against the New York Rangers during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso, File)

(AP Photo/Ralph Freso, File)

Defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson has asked the Arizona Coyotes to either trade him to one of two destinations before free agency opens on Friday or keep him, the player’s agent told TSN’s Darren Dreger.

“We think the best option for a trade is before free agency,” agent Kevin Epp told TSN. “If no deal by Friday, Oliver is staying in Arizona.”

The 29-year-old Coyotes captain has reportedly been willing to drop his no-trade clause to land with the Boston Bruins or Vancouver Canucks.

Ekman-Larsson 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. General manager John Chayka, who signed him to that deal, is no longer with the team.

NHL’s free agency period begins at 9 a.m. Friday.

Arizona, led by new GM Bill Armstrong, could potentially act on a trade Tuesday or Wednesday to acquire draft picks for Ekman-Larsson. The first round will begin Tuesday afternoon, while the second through seventh rounds will take place Wednesday.

The Coyotes do not pick until the fourth round after trades and an NHL sanction stripped them of picks in the first three rounds.

Ekman-Larsson was named the Coyotes’ captain in 2018, taking over for Shane Doan, who held the honor from 2003-17. He was an alternate captain the prior 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 as he finished with nine to go with 21 assists.

The 30 points for Ekman-Larsson in 2019-20 were his fewest since 2012-13.

Arizona Coyotes

Shane Doan...

Arizona Sports

Former Coyote Shane Doan hired as special advisor to Maple Leafs’ GM

Former Coyote Shane Doan has taken a job with Toronto as special advisor to Maple Leafs' general manager Brad Treliving.

1 day ago

Patrik Koch, Arizona Coyotes, Slovakia...

Arizona Sports

Arizona Coyotes sign D Patrik Koch to entry-level contract

Defenseman Patrik Koch signed a one-year, entry-level contract with the Arizona Coyotes on Monday, the team announced.

5 days ago

Arizona Coyotes right wing Clayton Keller, center, celebrates after his goal against the Vegas Gold...

Associated Press

NHL committed to keeping Coyotes in Arizona, Bettman says

Commissioner Gary Bettman says the NHL is still committed to Arizona after Tempe voters rejected a referendum for a Coyotes arena.

7 days ago

Lawson Crouse of Canada, Milan Lucic of Canada and Peyton Krebs of Canada Team Canada celebrates af...

Associated Press

Lawson Crouse scores, Andre Tourigny-coached Canada defeats Germany to win hockey worlds

Arizona Coyotes' Lawson Crouse scored for Canada in a 5-2 victory over Germany in the final of the ice hockey world championship on Sunday.

13 days ago

Mesa Mayor John Giles, Tempe mayor Corey Woods...

Arizona Sports

Mesa mayor ‘encouraging’ Coyotes to look at private sites for new arena

Could the Arizona Coyotes find a new arena home in Mesa and find a way to avoid a public vote like the squashed Tempe plans required?

19 days ago

Logan Cooley #92 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers warms up before a game against the Quinnipiac Bobc...

Wills Rice

Coyotes prospect Logan Cooley to stay 1 more year in college

Arizona Coyotes highly regarded center prospect Logan Cooley announced he is staying in college for one more year.

21 days ago

Coyotes’ Oliver Ekman-Larsson sets trade deadline eyeing Bruins, Canucks