It was not the kind of ideal season that the Toronto Maple Leafs were looking for in 2025-26, that began with a major offseason trade in the departure of Mitch Marner to the Vegas Golden Knights.
Not only did they struggle with injuries to multiple key players, but they also struggled to find routine consistency and ultimately fell out of the postseason race. Multiple changes have been made, including the dismissal of general manager Brad Treliving, who was replaced by John Chayka. Additionally, the Maple Leafs are searching for a new head coach following the dismissal of Craig Berube, who led them to a playoff spot and a series win last year but wasn’t able to repeat that performance.
While there remains plenty of speculation surrounding the futures of veterans Morgan Rielly and Auston Matthews with the franchise, another veteran player has seen his name pop up in rumors, and is now addressing them.
Will Oliver Ekman-Larsson Stay With The Toronto Maple Leafs?
Oliver Ekman-Larsson, who is currently captaining Team Sweden in the ongoing 2026 IIHF World Chmpionship, saw his name included in trade rumors in the weeks and days leading up to the March NHL Trade Deadline, though no move was ultimately made.
For him, especially because his family was expecting a new addition, it was more of a unique 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.”
Ekman-Larsson’s preference, as well as his family’s, is to remain with the Maple Leafs, though he also acknowledged that playing professional sports is a business and that he’ll deal with whatever comes his way as he’s done before throughout his career.
“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.”
Oliver Ekman-Larsson Finished His Second Year With The Maple Leafs
The Maple Leafs signed Ekman-Larsson just weeks after he helped the Florida Panthers win the 2024 Stanley Cup to a four-year, $14 million contract.
During his second year with the club, Ekman-Larsson scored eight goals with 31 assists in 78 games played.
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