Despite trade rumors, Ekman-Larsson expects to remain with Leafs in 2026-27
This article originally appeared on hockeysverige.se and has been translated from Swedish to English.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are going through a period of change following the disappointment of this past season.
Missing the playoffs for the first time in ten years triggered major consequences within the organization. First to go was general manager Brad Treliving. Shortly after, a new leadership group stepped in with Mats Sundin named president and John Chayka hired as GM.
One of their first major decisions was to fire head coach Craig Berube, with the club currently looking for a replacement.
At the same time, the Leafs have several roster questions to sort out as the team is expected to undergo a “retool.” The biggest question, of course, concerns superstar Auston Matthews and what his future holds.
In other words, these are uncertain times in Toronto — something Swedish defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson has experienced firsthand.
OEL recorded 39 points in 78 games for Toronto this season, his best NHL production in seven years, and somewhat surprisingly earned a spot on Sweden’s Olympic roster. The 34-year-old’s market value has been higher than in years. Reports indicated that the Maple Leafs explored the possibility of trading Ekman-Larsson ahead of the March trade deadline. At one point, OEL was even held out of the lineup as a precaution ahead of a potential deal.
Ultimately, no trade materialized and Ekman-Larsson remained in Toronto for the rest of the season. Now, with a few months of perspective, the Swedish World Championship captain reflects on how he viewed the situation.
“I think the whole situation became even more unique because we were expecting a baby just two weeks later,” Ekman-Larsson told hockeysverige.se. “Obviously, it’s tough when you enjoy being somewhere and want to stay somewhere, and then something like that comes up. But when a team is struggling and things aren’t going the way they’re expected to, changes usually happen. It’s never fun. It was something new for me to go through in the middle of a season.
“I’ve been bought out before and I’ve been traded before. But this was different.”
OEL didn’t want to move, though. He likes Toronto, but he knows the business of hockey can be tough.
“I probably knew a little more than the outside world did,” Ekman-Larsson said. “Like I said, when you enjoy being somewhere and want to stay there, it’s never fun when those rumors come up. Our whole family loves it there, and that’s where we want to be. But it’s not something you can walk around constantly thinking or speculating about. That’s how I see it.
“I’ve gone through other things earlier in my career and there’s really no point wasting energy on something before it actually happens — or if it even happens. If something does happen, then you just try to deal with it however you can.”
There’s no guarantee Ekman-Larsson is part of the team’s long-term plans. If Toronto decides to get younger and reshape the roster this summer, OEL could be one of the veterans sacrificed in the process.
“You never know. Like I said, something will probably happen with the team there, but exactly what that is, I don’t know. Again, I’m not going to speculate on those kinds of things. The people sitting above me — John, Mats, and the rest of the organization — are the ones making those decisions,” he said.
“With everything else, all I can do is focus on being my best every day and hope that’s enough.”
Does Ekman-Larsson think he’ll be bag in T.O. to start 2026-27?
“Things usually work themselves out one way or another. There’s no point thinking too much about it, you just try to block it out. We’ll see what the summer brings, but regardless, I’m expecting to go back there.”