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Oliver Ekman-Larsson reveals the real reasons why he signed in Toronto
Photo credit: USA Today Sports
Oliver Ekman-Larsson has revealed why he chose Maple Leafs in free agency, and how thrilled he is to be reunited with Brad Treliving and Shane Doan in Toronto.
On the heels of a postseason triumph of the highest order, newly-minted Stanley Cup champion Oliver Ekman-Larsson didn't waste any time in making a huge decision in free agency. Rather than re-upping with the Panthers, where he had just won, the veteran defenseman moved on to what he believes is an exceptional team in Toronto.
The move was one that led to some mixed feelings, and understandably so. Ekman-Larsson did his best to explain the challenging decision this week when he spoke to Arizona reporter Craig Morgan.
"It's so weird. You just won the Cup with a team that you have been battling with for a year and love so much and have so much respect for — the whole organization with what they have done for me personally — so it wasn't an easy decision. I am a guy that always tries to go with my gut feeling and when Toronto showed interest I got that feeling that this is what I wanted to do and this is what we wanted to do as a family."
"I've always liked coming [to Toronto] as an away team, playing in that building. It's always special. Obviously, there's a lot of history in the organization and I feel like they have a really good team that has a chance to do something special as well. I think it's a good fit."
"I've always liked coming [to Toronto] as an away team, playing in that building. It's always special. Obviously, there's a lot of history in the organization and I feel like they have a really good team that has a chance to do something special as well. I think it's a good fit."
There are two primary reasons for OEL opting to sign with the Leafs over other interested suitors. One is that he believes he has a chance to win again in Toronto. The other reason is that he was excited for the opportunity to re-kindle his working relationship with two of his biggest mentors in Brad Treliving and Shane Doan, both of whom joined the Maple Leafs organization last offseason.
"I don't want to sound like I'm sucking up to him, but Brad is one unbelievable person. I don't think Toronto knows how lucky they are to have a guy like that who cares a lot about his surroundings and organization and players. And then the other guy [Doan], he's OK, too. He meant so much to me with what he did for me when I was a kid in Arizona. Playing with a guy like that — I wish everybody had the chance to be around a guy like Doaner."
Obviously, it's great to have players who want to be here and OEL certainly seems like he wants to play here. The other part of it, though, is winning hockey games. Hopefully Ekman-Larsson's will to win matches his enthusiasm for signing with the Leafs as a free agent this summer, because it's not about what you say off the ice - it's about what you do ON the ice.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 19 | 418 ANSWERS Oliver Ekman-Larsson reveals the real reasons why he signed in Toronto Who is the best D partner for Oliver Ekman-Larsson to start out in Toronto? | ||
| Morgan Rielly | 73 | 17.5 % |
| Jake McCabe | 204 | 48.8 % |
| Chris Tanev | 49 | 11.7 % |
| Timothy Liljegren | 92 | 22 % |
| List of polls | ||
