Oliver Ekman-Larsson's new role in Toronto has now been identified

At 32, the skilled left-shot defenseman is set to bring his considerable talents to Toronto, with a contract that carries a cap hit of $3.5 million per season.

Ekman-Larsson, known for his offensive prowess, is poised to alleviate some of the burdens on Morgan Rielly, the Leafs' current top defenseman. Last season, Ekman-Larsson's tally of nine goals and 32 points would have ranked him as the second most productive defenseman on the Leafs, surpassing others to lead in goals scored from the blueline.

This statistical insight, highlighted by Jonas Siegel of The Athletic with data from Natural Stat Trick and Hockey-Reference, underscores the potential impact of his arrival. Siegel noted that Ekman-Larsson attempted ten more shots per 60 minutes than Rielly, suggesting a significant boost to the Leafs' offensive play from the defense.

The Maple Leafs have a recent history of tweaking their blueline to enhance their offensive output, as seen last season with the inclusion of John Klingberg. Although Klingberg was initially set to revamp the top power play unit, the results were mixed. Now, with the power play performance against Boston suggesting a need for fresh tactics, Ekman-Larsson is likely to assume responsibilities on the top unit, potentially replacing Rielly as the primary shooting threat.

The strategic shift towards incorporating Ekman-Larsson into the top power play unit is not just about replacing a single player but enhancing the overall dynamism of the team's play. His ability to shoot more frequently could lead to increased secondary scoring opportunities, especially with effective traffic in front of the net.

As the Leafs gear up for the upcoming season, all eyes will be on the training camp to observe how Ekman-Larsson integrates into the team and what new strategies Marc Savard, the new assistant coach, will introduce to revitalize the Leafs' power play. The addition of Ekman-Larsson may not only be a game-changer in terms of individual stats but could herald a new era of strategic depth for the Leafs.

For further details on Ekman-Larsson's performance metrics and expectations, see Jonas Siegel's insights on The Athletic or follow his updates directly at

Source: The Athletic
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