Once written off by many NHL teams, Oliver Ekman-Larsson has found a new lease on life in Toronto, establishing himself as a cornerstone on the Maple Leafs’ blue line.
When the Toronto Maple Leafs signed Oliver Ekman-Larsson to a low-risk, four-year deal during the summer of 2024, expectations were modest. The veteran defender was coming off a buyout in Vancouver, followed by a depth role in Florida. Many viewed it as little more than an attempt to plug a roster hole.