Oliver Ekman-Larsson started his NHL career in Arizona back in 2010 and the relationships he built in those days in Phoenix helped him make his final decision as a free agent.
The veteran defenceman inked a four-year, $14 million contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs on July 1, reuniting him with former Coyotes assistant general manager Brad Treliving and former captain Shane Doan, an assistant to Treliving in Toronto.Ekman-Larsson told Craig Morgan of PHNX Sports.
“And then the other guy, he’s okay, too. He meant so much to me with what he did for me when I was a kid in Arizona. Playing with a guy like that — I wish everybody had the chance to be around a guy like Doaner.” He signed a one-year deal with the Florida Panthers on July 1, 2023, and had a bounce-back regular season, scoring nine goals with 32 points in 80 games while averaging 18:23 minutes of ice time. More importantly, he helped the team win its first Stanley Cup title in franchise history and the first of his career.
The 33-year-old blueliner admits it was a strange feeling celebrating with the Panthers and then signing with Toronto eight days later.
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