Tribute Oliver Ekman-Larsson is now on pace for a 30 point season...my dude...

[Ianturnedbull]

1. If you have something nice to say about him, then you're welcome to be here.

2. If you want to say something bad about him, then you're welcome to be here.

Option 2 will be challenging for me though.


He's been a big surprise. He does a lot for this team. I like his style. I like that he's got jam. He's a +7 which is 3rd on the Leafs. He's also contributing with points.

My Dude...

Click to read more...

 

[Puckstuff]

I wasn’t sure what to expect from OEL, but I thought he’d be closer to a #5 defenseman given that’s what his salary signals.

However, it’s very evident he’s a legitimate and very good top 4 d-man.

Paid $3.5 million, but easily worth $5.5-$6.0 m, imo.

 

[TMLBlueandWhite]

The thing that impresses me the most about OEL is his mean streak.

I didn't see a whole lot of him before this year. For obvious reasons I didn't go out of my way to watch any Arizona or Vancouver games while he was there. So I wasn't really sure what to expect.

Everything I had read about the guy seemed to indicate a soft offensive defenseman.

I was expecting another Jake Gardiner basically. Turns out there's a lot more to OEL than just a sweet first pass and booming point shot. He's also a good teammate who stands up for himself and others.

I'm glad the Canucks are still paying him millions every year so the Leafs don't have to.

As a whole I'm still not convinced the Leafs defense is a cup contender. They have a lot of nice individual pieces. But as a group they still lack that number one Norris caliber defenseman.

OEL turned out to be better than I thought he would, but if the Leafs want to contend they need a true 1RHD, not just a guy on a good contract.

 

[Anthrax442]

I like him, good signing

 

[arso40]

I like him, good signing

Good person to gauge riellys performance vs cost

 

[DarkKnight]

Put him on PP1.

 

[BraveCanadian]

Put him on PP1.

If it gets Rielly off there I am all for it.

 

[TMLBlueandWhite]

Good person to gauge riellys performance vs cost

Not really...

Vancouver is still paying OEL between $2.5 - $5M a year. I kinda think that might have helped with lowering his asking price. I mean, sure, the Leafs are "only" paying him $3.5M a year but he's taking home a lot more than that.

I feel like if you are going to do a cost:benefit analysis it would only be fair to combine his salary from both teams.

 

[Torontonian]

Lanky man.
Can move well
Can make a solid first pass
Can defend good enough
Has a mean side to him.

I still think there's room for him to improve his offence game as well as Toronto entire D-core has been lacking any production.

 

[SprDaVE]

Been a solid addition. He started the year exceptionally good but has settled into a solid mid pair 2-way defenseman. The one big thing is that he has to score goals for his role. He's been a little unlucky there and has had plenty of chances, so perhaps they'll start going in eventually.

 

[robertmac43]

He has been way better then I expected. I always thought points would come but the rest of this game would be an issue. Turns our he is also solid on the defensive side of the puck.

 

[cyris]

If it gets Rielly off there I am all for it.

Tessa Virtue says the same thing

 

[sunstersun]

He has been way better then I expected. I always thought points would come but the rest of this game would be an issue. Turns our he is also solid on the defensive side of the puck.

Not only solid on the defensive side. He brings a physicality none of us expected.

 

[robertmac43]

Not only solid on the defensive side. He brings a physicality none of us expected.

What's in the water this year? Both him and Pacioretty are continually surprising me with their physical play.

 

[QJo]

Not really...

Vancouver is still paying OEL between $2.5 - $5M a year. I kinda think that might have helped with lowering his asking price. I mean, sure, the Leafs are "only" paying him $3.5M a year but he's taking home a lot more than that.

I feel like if you are going to do a cost:benefit analysis it would only be fair to combine his salary from both teams.

I think this idea that his value is the combined take home only works for the immediate post buyout contract when the player has little leverage signing. OEL earned this contract after playing for FLA and I can't imagine a player/agent listening to a team say "you're value to us is x but you're already receiving y therefore we'll offer x-y to you and that'll be fair."

 

[Stephen]

I liked the signing because of his solid play in Florida during their cup run last year and it's worked out as well as I could have hoped. Right body type to give us more length defending, still mobile, plays with an edge. Could use a couple of extra goals here and there that would be great.

 

[Skullz]

Has really exceeded my expectations. I like how he does everything relatively well, even if he does not excel per se. He is noticeably better on his left side though, and I wish we would play him there. Can really drive a pairing from the left, not so much from the right.

 

[Darcy Tucker]

OEL is

 

[AvroArrow]

People made it seem like he was Jake Gardiner, I think he's been great overall

 

[arso40]

Not really...

Vancouver is still paying OEL between $2.5 - $5M a year. I kinda think that might have helped with lowering his asking price. I mean, sure, the Leafs are "only" paying him $3.5M a year but he's taking home a lot more than that.

I feel like if you are going to do a cost:benefit analysis it would only be fair to combine his salary from both teams.

I meant in terms of the Rielly contract not looking too good oel has looked better so whatever he got should have went somewhere else

 

[weems]

 

[Legion34]

I like what he has done. It’s just an awkward fit now that McCabe Tanev is playing great.

Your top 4 should be
Rielly. Tanev
OEL. McCabe but the other pair is too good.

I think we may need a partner for Reilly. I don’t get the Myers thing at all.

 

[LeafEgo]

Not really...

Vancouver is still paying OEL between $2.5 - $5M a year. I kinda think that might have helped with lowering his asking price. I mean, sure, the Leafs are "only" paying him $3.5M a year but he's taking home a lot more than that.

I feel like if you are going to do a cost:benefit analysis it would only be fair to combine his salary from both teams.

Vancouvers pay didn't impact negotiations, it was free market for services and it doesnt impact the cost benefit analysis today.

It was just a good signing.

 

[TMLBlueandWhite]

Vancouvers pay didn't impact negotiations, it was free market for services and it doesnt impact the cost benefit analysis today.

It was just a good signing.

You're probably right.

It wouldn't surprise me one bit if Treliving offered OEL more money and term than any other GM in the league. OEL seems to be holding his own so far. I'm not convinced he's a credible long term solution for defense.

If they could push him down a pair where he really belongs I think they would get better use out of him.

 

[BrannigansLaw]

How can anyone be disappointed with him?

He’s certainly exceeded my expectations. Especially in terms of his physical play; had no idea he had such a mean streak.