Oliver Ekman Larsson, when he was in his prime

[Eye of Ra]

What are you guys memories of him when he was in his prime? He has declined last years alot. But was he not a very good player once?

 

[TGWL]

I was never the biggest fan and always thought his 2-way play was overrated. but he had good hands and a pretty nice shot. Joined the rush and could even dangle his way in. I'd say there was a time when the NHL started transitioning from bombing slapshots to quick wrist shots through the point, and he was able to really benefit from doing that. Same with Burns.

 

[Very Stable Genius]

Bryan Murray said he was going to be better than Hedman before the draft back in 09.

 

[mouser]

OEL entering the league was an incredibly slick skater. Never the fastest guy, but he had that ability to smoothly cover space in any direction using a stride less than most other defensemen would require. Well rounded two way game. Could often play more physical with an under appreciated nasty edge to his game.

With his smooth skating and less reliance on top speed or an overly physical style I would have expected his play to age well into his mid 30’s. Past knee and hip issues, plus a recent broken foot have really taken a toll on his effectiveness. Curious to see if he can return to at least some semblance of health, could still have many years left in the NHL if he does.

 

[Took a pill in Sbisa]

Am trying to think of a present day comparable but can't. There's not many good 2-way dmen with his skating ability thay can put up 20 goals. He wasn't as good as Josi or Makar either.

 

[Bleedred]

I feel like him and Yandle followed similar career paths and it just so happens both started out in Arizona.

 

[Sky04]

Always overrated because he was on a bad team, this guy got walked constantly and one of the worst defensively among dmen in his prime but he puts up pp points I guess.

 

[Bouboumaster]

Solid #1 dman in his prime

 

[The Nuge]

At his peak he was right around the 5th best dman in the league imo. He was a great skater and very poised at both ends. He was also the best goal scoring dman in the league. His point totals don’t look that impressive until you remember he lead the Coyotes in scoring multiple times and really had next to no help.

How many dmen have ended a season with more goals than assists while also leading their team in scoring? I can’t imagine it’s more than a handful ever

 

[mouser]

I feel like him and Yandle followed similar career paths and it just so happens both started out in Arizona.

Very different styles of player. Yandle was elite at moving the puck up ice, but below average on transition defense and in his D zone. OEL was above average in all zones and situations.

When OEL and Yandle were paired together it was OEL giving Yandle the freedom to roam by taking on the extra defensive responsibilities. Later in his career OEL was AZ’s top offensive D threat, so he’d take on the role to push forward heavier with a partner picking up a little more of the defensive responsibility. Also around this time OEL’s usage on the PK was severely reduced. Not because he was bad defensively, but because he was the most productive offensive option on D Arizona had, so they needed to maximize his offensive minutes.

Yandle was still very effective as an offensive D until age 34 and retired at age 35. OEL is soon to turn 32.

 

[AintLifeGrand]

When @Eye of Ra makea a thread , you know it will be a “cant miss”

 

[Bizz]

I always thought he was the inferior of the OEL/Yandle tandem in Arizona.

 

[syz]

A longer lasting but slightly worse Joni Pitkanen?

 

[MessierII]

Top 10 D for a good stretch. Yotes best player.

 

[ESH]

I remember a poll series on HFBoards around like 5 years ago where he was voted a top-5 defenseman in the league. I thought that was a bit high, but he was very well-thought of on here.

One of the best wrist shots from the point in the league, a very smooth skater. He was relied upon heavily at both ends of the ice for the Coyotes.

 

[EdmFlyersfan]

Poor-man's Niedermayer.

 

[Anaheim4ever]

Am trying to think of a present day comparable but can't. There's not many good 2-way dmen with his skating ability thay can put up 20 goals. He wasn't as good as Josi or Makar either.

2022-23 Hampus Lindholm's 53 point season is only 2 points less than OEL's career high 55 point season. Like Montour he only got better when leaving Anaheim.
OEL only paced 50 points once in his career just like Lindholm.

 

[DatDude44]

OEL was nasty for a long time, wasted prime in the desert sadly.

 

[Satoru Gojo]

I still remember pundits calling him the next Lidstrom at the 09 draft

 

[teravaineSAROS]

2022-23 Hampus Lindholm's 53 point season is only 2 points less than OEL's career high 55 point season. Like Montour he only got better when leaving Anaheim.
OEL only paced 50 points once in his career just like Lindholm.

What are you trying to say? The year he did it only 5 players had more than 80 points. Scoring has increased dramatically.

 

[Anaheim4ever]

What are you trying to say? The year he did it only 5 players had more than 80 points. Scoring has increased dramatically.

When Hampus was young he had one of his best seasons, and we were hoping he'd turn into OEL because he's really good 2way Dman already when he debuted. But then Hampus offense stalled for years and partly because of injuries + Randy Carlyle and Dallas Eakins and the Ducks becoming a bad team in 2019. Can't recall but I remember hearing once back then that OEL was a current NHLer he was trying to be like.

If we go back 5 years and trade Lindholm to a contender, he probably has several 40 to 50 point seasons as a top 2way Dman. Carlyle sucked the offense out of the Ducks as did Eakins. Kesler, Perry and Getzlaf declining hurt them too.

 

[teravaineSAROS]

When Hampus was young he had one of his best seasons, and we were hoping he'd turn into OEL because he's really good 2way Dman already when he debuted. But then Hampus offense stalled for years and partly because of injuries + Randy Carlyle and Dallas Eakins and the Ducks becoming a bad team in 2019. Can't recall but I remember hearing once back then that OEL was a current NHLer he was trying to be like.

If we go back 5 years and trade Lindholm to a contender, he probably has several 40 to 50 point seasons as a top 2way Dman. Carlyle sucked the offense out of the Ducks as did Eakins. Kesler, Perry and Getzlaf declining hurt them too.

Oh yea I agree. Probably not a popular opinion but I think Seth Jones is another player who would look significantly better if he played for a better team.

OEL was in a similar situation aswell, being a defenseman isn't easy if your team is struggling.

 

[NyQuil]

Sandis Ozolinsh.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Overrated because he was in AZ, so he was the natural hipster pick for 'top dman you don't watch'. Overrated defensively and easily rattled. Lay a body on him and he'd forget how to play the game altogether.

Few seasons as a top-10-ish dman, though. Very good player, but rep was built by being the best player on bad teams that no one outside the Pacific watched.

Edit: probably came off harsher than I intended. Smooth skater with a good all around skillset, obviously hold him in pretty high regard, just not top-5 high regard.

 

[BigBadBruins7708]

Overrated because he was in AZ, so he was the natural hipster pick for 'top dman you don't watch'.

Yup, the "Yandle Effect"