Rumor: Ekman-Larsson may be Alberta bound

According to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, both the Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers have inquired about the availability of Arizona defenceman and captain Oliver Ekman-Larsson. Friedman went on to say on the SN960 that other teams have shown interest as well, but he believes Calgary and Edmonton could make appealing offers and that Ekman-Larsson would be willing to waive his no-trade clause to come to Alberta. 

The Calgary Flames are in need of an overhaul on their blueline. Only Mark Giordano, Rasmus Andersson and Noah Hannfin are signed long-term, while the other half of their defence are UFA with Travis Hamonic, TJ Brodie and Erik Gustafsson all set to hit the open market in a few weeks. The Flames have more cap space than the Oilers and could possibly pull off a one for one with Johnny Gaudreau being the main piece going to Arizona. 

The Oilers were already linked to the Coyotes earlier this week by TSN's Pierre LeBrun about the possibility of trading for goaltender Darcy Kuemper. Now Friedman reports that Edmonton has made calls on OEL. Could Oilers GM Ken Holland be working on a blockbuster involving both Ekman-Larsson and Kuemper? Holland is believed to be offering either Darnell Nurse or Oscar Klefbom as the main asset for Ekman-Larsson. Holland would not move his 14th overall this year for Matt Murray, will he move it for Ekman-Larsson? The Oilers would have to move at least two roster players in any OEL trade to make the cap work for the Oilers. The Coyotes don't have a pick in the first three rounds in this years draft and are also missing their first and second rounders next year. 

The Arizona Coyotes have a rookie interim GM in Steve Sullivan that every other NHL GM is calling day and night, trying to gauge his inexperience. The Coyotes are almost certain to lose Taylor Hall and have almost no draft picks to plug any holes via trade. This would be a tall task for any veteran GM, never mind a rookie GM only six weeks on the job. 

photo credit: Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire