Friedman: Leafs asked for a 1st and 2nd for OEL, comparable trades tell a different story
Photo credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
Elliotte Friedman's reveal that Toronto wanted a haul for Oliver Ekman-Larsson, but looking at the other deals made at the deadline, it seems they had no real shot and may have hoped for too much.
For the Maple Leafs, Friday's deadline came with a lot of changes, but also a lot more questions than answers. They traded Bobby McMann and Scott Laughton, dealing Nic Roy a day prior. It was a sign that they were looking to retool, but their haul left a bit to be desired especially compared to other deals around the league.
They held onto Oliver Ekman-Larsson, a player who would have potentially brought back a lot, but there wasn't necessarily any real suitors out there; and with a child on the way too -- Toronto didn't want to send him away for nothing.
Maple Leafs wanted first and second for OEL says Elliotte Friedman
But according to Elliotte Friedman, it wasn't just the personal aspect that kept OEL around. Instead, it was due to Toronto's insistence on getting a king's ransom for him which included a first-round pick:
I heard the Leafs were asking like a 1st and a 2nd for Oliver Ekman-Larsson.
Well, that's certainly a lot to ask for a 35-year old who makes $3.5-million for this season and the next although they could have retained a bit of money -- which would make them the third team to pay him through retention or buyout.
The OEL Comparables: Why Toronto couldn't find a deal for Oliver Ekman-Larsson
But looking around the league, we can see why Toronto was never going to get their prized package for Ekman-Larsson.
1. John Carlson (UFA, 36 years old, 46 points)
Washington somehow managed a conditional first and third round pick for Carlson who while older, is still an elite offensive player even at 36. It's a surprise that Anaheim was willing to pay that much, and this isn't Mackenzie Weegar (more on him later).
Carlson is also a legend who has amassed over 1,100 games and 771 points with a blistering plus-114. Ekman-Larsson also has over 1,100 games but has 180 points less than Carlson; so he has the statistical edge too especially this year.
Plus as a free agent, Anaheim doesn't need to commit, and if they don't make the playoffs, they can actually keep their 2026 pick and give Washington their 2027 one instead; no harm, no foul.
2. Justin Faulk (1 year remaining, 34 years old, 32 points)
Faulk got a massive haul for St. Louis as Detroit sent a first, third, prospect Dmitri Buchelnikov, and Justin Holl for one and a quarter seasons of Faulk. While still a top level producer, he's got the same age as OEL, same points, and the term as well.
How Brad Treliving didn't get something similar is stunning, however with Faulk being a right-handed blueliner, he has an advantage given how much of a premium there is for righties.
3. Mackenzie Weegar (5 years remaining, 31 years old, 21 points)
Now here's Weegar, who garnered three 2026 second-round picks on top of highly-touted prospect Jonathan Castagna and Olli Maata.
That's a huge price to pay for a 31-year old but he was the #1 guy after Rasmus Andersson, and his previous accomplishments and stats speak for themselves. For Utah who acquired him, they got themselves the missing piece to plus in with Mikhail Sergachev, at a fairly reasonable price ($6.25M) for a long time.
OEL was never going to sniff a package like that, and this is arguably one of the more expensive deals especially knowing that the Mammoth gave up a haul worthy of their namesake to set themselves up for a bright future.
4. Timothy Liljegren (UFA, 25 years old, 11 points)
A former Maple Leaf, San Jose got a fourth for the much-maligned defender and he'll have some big hoes to fill now that Carlson is gone.
But the fact they paid that much for a player who had been on the outs for months is a great bit of business from GM Mike Grier, and Toronto passing on anything for OEL shows they valued what they thought of him more than the market.
Now OEL is certainly worth more than a fourth-rounder, but the fact he wasn't dealt for anything is a concern -- regardless of what 'the market dictates'.
5. Tyler Myers (1 year remaining at 50% retained, 36 years old, 8 points)
The Dallas Stars needed a big ol' body to put on the blueline and the 6-foot-8 Myers fits the bill. Not to mention that he's a Texas native, and you couldn't find a better spot for the veteran.
But they also paid a second and fourth-round pick for a 36-year old defenceman on the decline. OEL is having an incredible season, and he would have been a great compliment to Miro Heiskanen and Thomas Harley, while mentoring the young guys like Lian Bichsel.
Also, Vancouver gladly took some money on to get a deal sweetened meanwhile the Maple Leafs are staring at three open retention slots. It's another trade that looks like Toronto was on the outside looking in.
Closing Argument
There's no market for Ekman-Larsson to have ever gotten a first-round pick. His career accolades while great, aren't the level of Carlson's. He's not a younger player like Weegar and Liljegren, nor a righty like Faulk and he's certainly no Myers.
When you are just good enough to do everything, but not defined enough to do something you're often lost in the shuffle especially at the deadline.
That's the case with Oliver Ekman-Larsson, as he's certainly done bang-up job for the Maple Leafs, but hasn't exactly stood out above the pack when it comes to what teams were looking for.
Also read on Hockey Patrol :
Auston Matthews trade talk was noise, but here's what a real return could get the Leafs
Auston Matthews trade talk was noise, but here's what a real return could get the Leafs
| POLL | ||
MARS 8|885 ANSWERS Friedman: Leafs asked for a 1st and 2nd for OEL, comparable trades tell a different story Did the Maple Leafs ever had a shot at getting a first-round pick for Oliver Ekman-Larsson? | ||
| Yes | 385 | 43.5 % |
| No | 500 | 56.5 % |
| List of polls | ||