"Obviously a relief. I was happy and saying 'thank God'" Ekman-Larsson said when asked about how he felt following the trade deadline. "From day one, when that talk came out, I think I made it pretty clear what I wanted to do and that I still believe in this team and wanted to be here. It's a tough day, it's a weird day.""
"Ekman-Larsson was the Maple Leafs' best defenceman from start to finish this year. He appeared in 78 games, recording eight goals and 31 assists, leading among all Maple Leafs defencemen. Ekman-Larsson's 39 points represented a turning back of the clock to his earlier years. The point total represents the highest Ekman-Larsson had achieved since the 2018-19 season, when he recorded 44 as a member of the Arizona Coyotes."
"For Ekman-Larsson's efforts, he was rewarded by being named to Team Sweden Men's Olympic roster for the second time in his career. In Milano Cortina, Ekman-Larsson appeared in five games with his native country, posting a minus-two rating before falling in the quarterfinals to the eventual gold medal winners, the United States of America."
""I always came into the season wanting to play good for the Leafs and for my teammates here and give me a chance to be on that team," Ekman-Larsson told the media before hosting the Florida Panthers on January 6. "So, I'm lying if I'm saying I haven't really thought about it, to be honest with you"
The Toronto Maple Leafs missed the playoffs with a 32-36-14 record. Defenceman Oliver Ekman-Larsson was a bright spot and remained with the team after trade-deadline rumours. He is under contract for the next two years at $3.5 million. Ekman-Larsson played 78 games, leading Maple Leafs defencemen with eight goals and 31 assists for 39 points, his highest total since 2018-19. His performance earned him a second selection to the Team Sweden Men’s Olympic roster. In Milano Cortina, he played five games, posted a minus-two rating, and Sweden was eliminated in the quarterfinals by the eventual gold medal winners, the United States of America.
Read at TheLeafsNation
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