Aaron Ekblad reveals what Maple Leafs fans can expect from Oliver Ekman-Larsson

Oliver Ekman-Larsson's former D partner Aaron Ekblad claims that the Maple Leafs landed a very underrated defenseman in free agency when they signed OEL.

The Leafs were on a mission to upgrade their blueline this summer, and with the additions of Chris Tanev, Ekman-Larsson and perhaps even Jani Hakanpaa, they believe they've done that. While he can't really speak to what it's like to play with Tanev or Hakanpaa, Ekblad knows what it's like to have OEL as a teammate and on Tuesday, he told TSN's Aaron Korolnek and Carlo Colaiacovo exactly what the Leafs are getting in the veteran defenseman.

Ekman-Larsson tallied 9 goals and 32 points for the Panthers last season across 80 games. He has reached the double-digit marker in goals 7 times in his NHL career and has flirted with double digits in two additional seasons. For a team like the Leafs, who are starved for offense from the back end, Ekman-Larsson may be a very solid fit for the team, as Ekblad suggests.

There are some questions about his defensive game overall, but with the Leafs being a decent "team defense" club, perhaps his defensive miscues will be a lot less noticeable, especially if he ends up being paired with a solid defensive defenseman like Jake McCabe or Simon Benoit.

Wherever the Leafs opt to slot Ekman-Larsson in, it's clear from Ekblad's comments that OEL will be a valuable piece, which is something you certainly like to hear, given the financial commitment the Leafs made in the Swedish defender when they signed him to a 4-year deal worth $14M in total.

Source: The Hockey News
'OEL's Of Those Perfect Swedes': Panthers Defenseman Aaron Ekblad Explains What the Maple Leafs are Getting in Oliver Ekman-Larsson

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