Toronto needs to find someone to replace Oliver Ekman-Larsson given his regression, and Nashville's blue line holds the answer with an underrated two-way defender.
With all the talk about the Maple Leafs needing to replace Chris Tanev, or find a replacement for Morgan Rielly, there is little that has been said about Oliver Ekman-Larsson and the big step back he's taken this year.
His first two seasons were solid but this year has not been nearly as productive.
The defense is still there but the offensive side has dried up with only one point in 14 games, he's taking too many penalties, and he's already dealing with some injury concerns.
Of all the players who may need replacing it could be him, and the Maple Leafs are going to need to find a similar player who can offer a better offensive upside while giving them that same level of defensive help.
Nashville shopping the perfect alternative to Oliver Ekman-Larsson
Luckily for them, they have just the guy.
According to David Pagnotta on DFO Insider, the Nashville Predators are reportedly taking offers from teams for defenseman Brady Skjei however the price tag attached to him is causing some concerns going forward:
There are teams that, while they've had conversations involving Brady Skjei, for now are a little bit reluctant to take on that remaining contract at its entirety.
Skjei, 32, makes $7M through 2031, and would be a long-term investment for a team while also a bit of a financial hit.
However, he does have 309 points in 785 games with the Rangers, Hurricanes and Predators including a stretch where he had 41 goals, 245 blocks and 192 hits in 243 games from 2023-2025.
Off to a bit of a slower start this year with three assists in three games, the Predators aren't a team who are exactly a top-tier contender, and if they are looking to open up money for future deals then Skjei is certainly on the block.
Why Skjei makes sense even if Toronto needs to sweeten the deal
Toronto should still go after him even if it means adding a bit extra in order to get some salary retention on the deal.
They need to send money out so adding in Ekman-Larsson would be a necessity on top of another name like Dakota Joshua who can cover for their tagging restrictions, and then on top of that likely add a decent pick.
But in doing so the team would be adding a reliable two-way defenseman with a lot of offensive upside, who is younger than Ekman-Larsson and can be a much more definitive presence in his own end.
It also provides a bit of insurance down the line as Toronto would have some stability during their inevitable turnover once their multitude of two-year deals expire.
You can't fault OEL for what he did in his first two years in Toronto, but there does come a time when things have to end, and it may be Brady Skjei coming in to relieve him of his duties on the Maple Leafs.
Do you think Brady Skjei is a good replacement for Oliver Ekman-Larsson?
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