Oliver Ekman-Larsson Signs With Florida Panthers

The NHL free agency madness is beginning! Let’s start with Oliver Ekman-Larsson, who signed with the Florida Panthers. The deal is a one-year term good for $2.25 million.

Expected to be 1year, $2.25 mil for OEL in Florida. https://t.co/Lne3cnztBj

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Ekman-Larsson only tallied two goals, 20 assists for 22 points which was his lowest point total since his rookie season in 2010-11 with the Arizona Coyotes. He played for the Coyotes for 11 seasons and led the team in points in the 2015-16 season with 21 goals and 34 assists. He also was their captain after Shane Doan retired. Yet, in today’s NHL financial issues carry a ton of weight. His $8.25 million deal that lasted through the 2026-27 season and even with the Coyotes retaining $990,000 each year, the Canucks decided to buy out his contract.

I will still cost the Vancouver club $20.5 million, but now at least they have some cap space to make some moves.

Oliver Ekman-Larsson Adds Some Experience on the Panthers Blueline

While Ekman-Larsson’s play has leveled off a bit, he is still an experienced defenseman who can run the point on the power play. He has collected 117 power play assists as well as 58 goals. If nothing else he can blend in well with the Panthers’ lineup. They came very close to hoisting the Cup and want to be in that position once again. It would seem that OEL can certainly be a leader of his team as he was the captain of the Coyotes after legend Shane Doan retired.

The thin Florida blueline needs bodies. They only have five defensemen under contract for the 2023-24 season, including OEL. Then, both Aaron Ekblad and Brandon Montour are injured and may not be ready for the new season in October. Adding an assurance like OEL who misses a few games due to injury will go a long way in fortifying the Panther’s defense.

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OEL Can Help the Florida Team

One thing that OEL brings is competitiveness. He has had some issues, especially personally when he lost his mother, and it showed in the level of play afterward. Florida has some good forwards like Matthew Tkachuk to feed the puck to break out of the D-zone. He will be an asset to the team and could even sign a longer-term contract after this initial “make good” deal he just signed.