Confirmed with Link: Leafs sign D Oliver Ekman-Larsson (4 years, $3.5M AAV)

[OVO16]

What signing. He's looked better than Skeji, Pesche and Matt Roy so far.

And as others have alluded too, bro is more physical than I thought

 

[CapspaceKiller]

He's clearly been the best defenceman and I like what I've seen from Tanav and McCabe, but OEL is a more dynamic player and does more honestly.

You have to wonder if all his problems in the past were teams seeing how good he is and asking for more and more to the point its too much. He goes to teams that have forwards that will help him defensively (Toronto and Florida) and he looks solid as a rock being a 2-way roleplayer.

The contract so far looks like a bargain.

 

[Legion34]

He's clearly been the best defenceman and I like what I've seen from Tanav and McCabe, but OEL is a more dynamic player and does more honestly.

You have to wonder if all his problems in the past were teams seeing how good he is and asking for more and more to the point its too much. He goes to teams that have forwards that will help him defensively (Toronto and Florida) and he looks solid as a rock being a 2-way roleplayer.

The contract so far looks like a bargain

Corrado said he had a major leg injury he was playing through in van and had to see some super specialist.

Van fans said he had a broken foot/ankle
And tried to play on it before eventually needing surgery

 

[LeafSteel]

I watched Yushkevich play, so no.

I watched Yushkevich as well, so what’s your point?

Could you disagree without the dick post?

 

[Dreakmur]

I watched Yushkevich as well, so what’s your point?

Could you disagree without the dick post?

I give myself Yushkevich vibes, so no.

 

[IPS]

Kinda?

Early indications are a 3 with shades of 4

Literally leads the D in TOI. He's the #1D as it stands at this very moment.

 

[LeafSteel]

I give myself Yushkevich vibes, so no.

Well played.

….. but to my eye you are more Svehla-ish…..

 

[kb]

How it started.

6 games later

 

[Metroid]

He caught the leafs curse. Parris fined him.

 

[ULF_55]

Ekman-Larsson should let Ponce know where it is.

 

[ULF_55]

So are we impressed yet?

 

[rojac]

Ekman-Larsson should let Ponce know where it is.

Took me a second, but I get the reference.

 

[weems]

So are we impressed yet?

He's been very steady.
His defensive game and physicality has been better than I had anticipated.
He even played well with Rielly when he was asked to play his off side.
His ability to move the puck and join the attack has been a great addition.

 

[Ianturnedbull]

So are we impressed yet?

I like him. He might be my fave leaf next to Rielly.

I like his stat line last night:

0 goals 1 assist +2 TOI 21:28

He's like a confident utility defenseman with an edge.

 

[Its not your fault]

Well played.

….. but to my eye you are more Svehla-ish…..

Who was better...

 

[LeafSteel]

Who was better...

Liked them both, and would have loved to have both at the same time.

Svehla’s time here was way too short, so Yushkevich will always get my vote.

 

[Its not your fault]

Liked them both, and would have loved to have both at the same time.

Svehla’s time here was way too short, so Yushkevich will always get my vote.

Unironicaly it was also Yushkevich that helped us bring him in. So points for that as well.

Side note Svehla got something like 41 stitches and no freezing to go and finish the game.

 

[Cap'n Flavour]

So are we impressed yet?

I've liked him so far; seems to be playing much like he was in Florida and I hope he keeps it up. I would prefer to see an RD upgrade on Hakanpaa to play with him or McCabe on separate pairs and even up the ice time a bit more instead of having a Benoit/Hakanpaa getting 13-15 each night.

 

[Antropovsky]

His high end tools are pretty evident.

I remember us missing him by 1 pick in the dradt and being upset about it for some time after. Kadri ended up panning out pretty good but OEL put it together faster.

His skill is much needed on our D, without him wed be desperately lacking his puck moving ability. Wouldve been kinda cool to see Liljegren and him play together - I think OEL wouldve been a good mentor.

 

[NJG]

I remember when we signed him—85% of this board was crying about what a horrible signing it was and questioning what Brad was thinking, blah blah blah. Now everyone loves him. I defended the signing from the beginning, it just goes to show that the majority of people on this board have no idea what they're talking about.

 

[Puckstuff]

I think OEL has been great. He’s a legitimate #3 defensemen, imo.

Few players can move the puck like he does while maintaining strong defensive positioning, clearing the front of the net, and even playing with a physical edge and has size. He essentially does everything.

He might be one of the more well rounded defensemen I’ve seen in blue and white. He might not put up the points he used to and that’s why he’s a #3 not a #1, but you can see why he was a former #1 because he doesn’t really have a single hole in his game. He sort of just does everything well.

Don’t be misled by the contract. This is a $5-6 million dollar defenseman on a bargain deal. We’re getting a top 4 D-man at a major discount because he had one down year.

 

[ponder]

I wasn’t a fan of the signing at the time, but I was wrong. He’s been much better than I expected, a legit 2nd pairing dman, and a very good signing. Solid both offensively and defensively, good puck mover, makes smart plays, even decently physical, can’t complain!

 

[Mr_Fun]

Overall he’s been great. He gives us a different look on the PP, as well as being a legitimate 2nd and 1st unit PP guy. Defensively he’s sound and can actually be a bit mean back there from time to time. Yes, he is prone to the odd blunder or missed assignment but I’m yet to see something that really concerns me.