Oilers 2026 trade deadline target: Oliver Ekman-Larsson

One defenceman that the Edmonton Oilers have been linked to is Oliver Ekman-Larsson.

Ekman-Larsson is one of the last remaining players in the National Hockey League who was a part of the Phoenix Coyotes (before the name change). He’s a well-travelled defenceman, as he was drafted sixth overall in the 2009 draft and has played for the Vancouver Canucks, Florida Panthers, and Toronto Maple Leafs, which is where the 34-year-old is currently playing.

The Swede is having a career renaissance of sorts. Back in his heyday, the left-shot defenceman was capable of scoring double-digit goals, reaching the 20+ goal mark on two occasions, and commonly hitting the 40-point mark. However, the Coyotes bought him out, and Ekman-Larsson became a journeyman, winning the Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers in 2023-24.

In Daily Faceoff’s most recent trade board, they listed Ekman-Larsson as a name to keep an eye on, but with the Leafs continuing to struggle, it looks more and more like they’ll sell ahead of Mar. 6th’s trade deadline. With that being said, let’s take a look at Ekman-Larsson’s fit, his cap hit, and the cost of acquisition.

Oliver Ekman-Larsson’s fit

The Oilers’ biggest need is a defenceman to play in their top four. While Ekman-Larsson is a left-shot defenceman, he’s capable of playing on the right side and has done so throughout his career. In fact, Ekman-Larsson has been linked to the Oilers, as Frank Seravalli reported that they have interest in the 34-year-old.

Ekman-Larsson is okay in his own end, but the Oilers would be acquiring him for his puck-moving abilities. Through 59 games this season, the Karlskrona, Sweden native has eight goals and 35 points in 59 games, which is on pace for 11 goals and 48 points over an 82-game pace. He hasn’t reached double-digit goals since the 14 he scored in 2018-19, and the 48 points would be the most he’s had since 2015-16, when he had 55.

There are concerns about his fit, of course, as the Oilers already have more left-shot defencemen than right-shot defencemen. Acquiring Ekman-Larsson would mean that Jake Walman (it should be Darnell Nurse) would move to the third line to play alongside either Ty Emberson or Spencer Stastney, the latter would be on his off-hand as well.

It’s not a perfect fit, but it’d be a good addition to the team. What about his cap hit though?

Oliver Ekman-Larrson’s cap hit

If you’ve been reading these, you know that the only way that the Oilers can acquire help at the trade deadline is if they move out a contract, most likely Andrew Mangiapane. They could get some more relief if they place Mattias Janmark on the long-term injured reserve as well, as he’s expected to be out long term. Right now, the Oilers are set to have about $12,009 in cap space at the deadline.

Funnily enough, trading Mangiapane for Ekman-Larsson would make the money work instantly, as the defenceman has a cap hit of $3.5 million until the end of the 2027-28 season, while Magiapane has a cap hit of $3.6 million. It also helps that the Leafs have had interest in Mangiapane, though they did nix a deal that’d send Mangiapane to the Leafs for Matias Maccelli.

The cap hit works for the Oilers, and he’s a fit, albeit an awkward one with their plethora of left-shot defencemen, but what about the cost of acquisition?

Oliver Ekman-Larsson’s cost of acquisition

All is well and dandy until you realize what the cost could be. Ekman-Larsson can get the Maple Leafs a sizable haul, while Mangiapane is a negative asset due to his 2025-26 season. That trade works money wise, but the Oilers would have to attach some valuable assets. Earlier this month, The Fourth Period’s David Pagnotta reported that it could take a young player like Ike Howard to get Ekman-Larsson out of Toronto.