US EditionOliver Ekman-Larsson opens up about staying with Maple Leafs after whirlwind trade deadline - "It was pretty tough"
Ekman-Larsson expressed relief at remaining with the Maple Leafs after the trade deadline, which yielded limited draft picks despite efforts to sell players amid a tough season.
- Saturday, March 7, 2026, Ekman-Larsson said he was happy to still be a Maple Leaf after the 3 p.m. ET Friday deadline passed.
- As sellers, Toronto sought draft capital but the sell-off largely fell flat as Brandon Carlo and Matias Maccelli remained unsold, though three forwards were traded for picks.
- The veteran Stanley Cup-winning defenceman was held out of two games for roster management while Toronto fielded offers, and he leads the defence with 35 points in 60 games, with two seasons remaining on his contract signed in July 2024.
- After seven straight losses, the NHL team sat eight points out of an Eastern Conference playoff spot and have occupied a post-season position for just 48 hours since November 12.
- With top-five protections, the club still has a pathway to a premier pick, despite no 2026 first- or second-round selections, after receiving a 2027 first, a 2027 second, and 2026 picks.
13 Articles
13 Articles
Maple Leafs Deadline Almost Abject Failure If Not for 1 Key Deal
The Toronto Maple Leafs needed to make a splash at the NHL trade deadline. Not as buyers, but as sellers.The plan was to sell off every possible piece while capitalizing on the exorbitant prices some teams were paying for depth pieces.But the purported sell-off fell flat. The Maple Leafs were unable to move players like Brandon Carlo, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Matias Maccelli, Troy Stecher, and even Simon Benoit.However, it was mostly crickets. The …
Back to Excited Episode 226 - Leafs Traded Deadline Recap
Welcome to another episode of Back to Excited. Today, we discuss the Leafs trade deadline, including the moves they made and didn't make. We then chat about the outlook for the rest of the season and beyond. Timestamps:[1:50] Nic Roy to Colorado[10:18] Bobby McMann to Seattle[17:40] Scott Laughton to Los Angeles[31:29] Oliver Ekman-Larsson not traded[42:30] Season outlook[54:04] Beyond this seasonAs always, you can find the podcast on Apple Podc…
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