NHL analyst advices Maple Leafs to cash out on $14M star d-man who filled Mitch Marner’s void

The Toronto Maple Leafs have been advised to cash out on defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson despite the 34-year-old becoming one of the team's few bright spots this season.

This week, Jon Steitzer of Leafs Nation insisted that the Leafs desperately need to recoup assets after a disappointing season and Ekman-Larsson's strong performance makes him an attractive trade chip who could fetch a first-round pick at the deadline.

Steitzer admitted that he was initially skeptical about the signing last year but the Swedish defenseman has exceeded expectations this season, rediscovering his offensive touch and effectively moving the puck to Toronto's top scorers when Mitch Marner's absence has left a void in playmaking.

“At a time when the Maple Leafs need non-Marner ways of moving the puck to their most capable goal scorers, Ekman-Larsson has filled that void and on a team that has struggled to come close to having a healthy blueline, Oliver has easily transitioned back into the top four and looks like a bargain for the Leafs at $3.5M.g,” he wrote.

Despite acknowledging that moving Ekman-Larsson would make the team "significantly worse” in the short term, Steitzer argued that it’s the right long-term move.

“Cashing out and selling high on Ekman-Larsson is the right move. At 34-years-old, Ekman-Larsson is on the older side of a Leafs blueline that needs to find ways to get younger,” he said.

Ekman-Larsson signed a 4-year $14 million contract with Toronto in July last year, carrying a cap hit of $3.5 million per season. The deal includes $7 million in signing bonuses and runs through the 2027-28 season. For the current 2025-26 season, he earns $1.5 million in base salary plus a $2 million signing bonus.

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Maple Leafs' impending coaching change could be a risk factor

The analyst also pointed out that an incoming coaching change could add uncertainty to Ekman-Larsson's value.

His career has shown he excels under certain coaches but struggles under others depending on deployment and linemate pairings. The version of Ekman-Larsson thriving under Craig Berube might not translate under a new system according to Steitzer.

“It often comes down to who knows where to put him in the lineup and who to partner him with. The Ekman-Larsson the Leafs are enjoying today might not be as good under whomever comes after Craig Berube,” he wrote.

Trading him might also help Toronto land a lottery pick in the top five keeping their draft pick rather than transferring it to Boston.

So far, Oliver Ekman-Larsson has six goals and 17 assists in 36 games this season.

The Leafs have prospects like William Villeneuve ready for NHL opportunities and depth options in Marshall Rifai and Matt Benning. Steitzer compared the situation to trading P.A. Parenteau, calling it Ekman-Larsson's moment to be sold high for the team's future benefit.

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Edited by Anjum Rajonno