When it comes to what will happen with Arizona Coyotes defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson, it appears there are only three options: He will be traded to the Boston Bruins, he will be traded to the Vancouver Canucks, or he will remain in Arizona.
We're going to know the answer by the end of this week. According to TSN's Darren Dreger, Ekman-Larsson -- through his agent -- has set Friday as the deadline to get a deal done.
"We think the best option for a trade is before free agency," Kevin Epp told TSN. "If no deal by Friday, Oliver is staying in Arizona."
Ekman-Larsson has a full no-trade clause, but has reportedly agreed to waive it for a trade to either the Bruins or Canucks. The Coyotes have reportedly asked him to expand that list, but he has declined.
Sportsnet's Chris Johnston and Elliotte Friedman reported on Monday that the Coyotes like Boston's prospects more than Vancouver's, but that the Canucks have been more aggressive in their pursuit.
The 29-year-old Ekman-Larsson has served as the Coyotes' captain for the last two seasons. He is a 6-foot-2 left-shot D who plays in all situations and who scored at least 12 goals and 39 points in six straight seasons before putting up nine and 30 in 66 games during this past pandemic-shortened season.
He has stayed healthy throughout his career and has played at least 23 minutes per game in eight straight seasons, although that number has declined in each of the last six years, from a career-high of 25:54 in 2013-14 down to 23:01 this past season.
Ekman-Larsson is under contract for seven more seasons with an annual cap hit of $8.25 million, so there is a massive financial investment that goes along with trading for him, in addition to whatever the trade package would be -- likely at least one high draft pick and at least one prospect or NHL-ready young player.
