Defense shortage drives Leafs OEL bidding war after flurry of deadline trades
Photo credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
The NHL's defensive trade market took a massive hit on Wednesday as a flurry of moves saw four defensemen traded, driving up Oliver Ekman-Larsson's value for the Maple Leafs and leaving him as the prime target on the back end.
On Wednesday, the NHL Trade Deadline was in full force as several teams made massive moves which was capped off (for now) by a huge deal involving St. Louis sending star defender Colton Parayko to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for top pick Radim Mrtka and a first-round pick.
Not to mention the other deals made which included Tyler Myers heading to Dallas, Mackenzie Weegar headed to Utah, and Connor Murphy already dealt to the Edmonton Oilers -- it's been a hectic 24 hours to say the least, and the Maple Leafs are looking to be the next to make a move.
OEL makes the most sense given who is gone, and with their returns looking to be anywhere from second rounders to first-plus prospect -- it's really a toss up as to what he could bring back but the precedent shows it should be a haul.
As Jeff Marek noted on Wednesday as well -- things definitely don't seem to be slowing down.
Hours after confirming the same lineup they had against Philadelphia on Monday for Wednesday's game vs. New Jersey, the team scratched three players ahead of the deadline for 'roster management purposes' which is code for making sure they don't get hurt:
- (F) Bobby McMann
- (F) Scott Laughton
- (D) Oliver Ekman-Larsson
- (F) Scott Laughton
- (D) Oliver Ekman-Larsson
Ekman-Larsson's value couldn't be higher thanks to vintage year and desperate teams
For the Maple Leafs, this influx of deals today no doubt is going to accelerate their need to make a deal and all attention turns to Ekman-Larsson given what happened on Wednesday.
Ekman-Larsson, 34, is already one of the top blueline targets on the market, and now with several teams like Dallas and Edmonton already making their move, it's going to be an even bigger dogfight for those who want him, and his value is as high as it's been in a long time.
In 61 games, Ekman-Larsson has 32 points (7 goals, 25 assists) along with a minus-six rating, 56 blocks, 70 hits and averages 20:47 TOI; he is signed for $3.5-million for the next two seasons.
There's rumoured to be a first-round pick in play for him, and now with smaller market, the Maple Leafs can take advantage -- especially if they feel salary retention could bring them even more of a return.
As the deadline quickly approaches with less than 48 hours to go, the Maple Leafs are gearing up to make one or perhaps several trades, but if they were looking to maximize their return for Oliver Ekman-Larsson; they can do it now with him potentially the top player available left on the blueline.
Also read on Hockey Patrol :
Colton Parayko trade fails: Why the Blues-Sabres deal fell through
Colton Parayko trade fails: Why the Blues-Sabres deal fell through
| POLL | ||
MARS 4|452 ANSWERS Defense shortage drives Leafs OEL bidding war after flurry of deadline trades What should the Maple Leafs do regarding Oliver Ekman-Larsson? | ||
| Keep Him (For Playoffs) | 111 | 24.6 % |
| Trade Him Now | 271 | 60 % |
| Trade Him Later (July 1) | 70 | 15.5 % |
| List of polls | ||