Report: Maple Leafs have a first-round pick offer on the table for Oliver Ekman-Larsson

There's been a lot of talk recently about the Maple Leafs making deals this trade deadline as the team is mired in a rough spot in the standings and don't really have a way out of the hole they dug themselves in.

The front office wants to do 'whatever is necessary' to help them out, though instead of buying for a potential failed playoff push, the best thing they can do right now is to just sell on whatever assets draw the most interest and get what they can before they come away empty-handed.

One player who is drawing a lot of attention is veteran defender Oliver Ekman-Larsson, as he could add a lot of help to a contender and his accomplishments speak for themselves -- as a former Cup winner anyone should want him.

And according to Oilers NOW host Bob Stauffer; there's some serious interest.

Stauffer on the Feb 27 edition of Oilers NOW explained that the Maple Leafs have a first-round pick on the table for Ekman-Larsson and a reported Oilers deal involving him wouldn't be enough for Toronto:

Stauffer was outlining a situation where Edmonton would trade Andrew Mangiapane, two second-round picks, and a prospect for Ekman-Larsson and center Nic Roy, and he believed it wasn't enough.

The team who wants Ekman-Larsson remains a mystery, and there are several contenders who need offensive minded blueliners to get them over the top.

A team like Dallas would be a perfect fit, as they need someone besides Thomas Harley and Miro Heiskanen to run things, especially come playoff time.

They can afford to give Toronto their 2027 first-round pick, and have enough money to make a move considering they won't get Tyler Seguin back this season. That plus a prospect like Luke Krys and suddenly there's some hope for Toronto.

Plus, if you deal him outside of the conference, you don't have to deal with him much and Dallas might be able to get past their early round woes thanks to the resurgent OEL.

This season, he has 35 points in 59 games (8 goals, 27 assists) along with a minus-four, 70 hits and 54 blocks while averaging 20:47 TOI; Ekman-Larsson makes $3.5-million until 2029.

Any team who wants a competitive, gritty and ultimately accomplished blueliner then they need to look to Toronto and find a way to get Oliver Ekman-Larsson.

The only question is, can they outbid the mystery team just waiting in the wings?

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William Nylander and Auston Matthews address Maple Leafs selling talk with blunt deadline quotes