Oliver Ekman-Larsson Speaks About Trade Rumors

Oliver Ekman-Larsson is usually busy playing close to 30 minutes of ice-time, flanking the left-side of the Arizona Coyotes defense, and providing leadership to a young Coyotes team. He recently found himself in an unfamiliar spot....trade rumors.

The Coyotes were rumored to be open to moving their captain and for that matter, anyone over the age of 25 as the team was apparently trying to recoup some draft picks and save themselves some money along the way. While no salary dumps have happened as of yet, neither has an Ekman-Larsson trade, and at this point it appears to be done and over with.

OEL recently met with the media and explained what went down from his perspective:

I signed because I wanted to be in Arizona until I’m 36. When this rumor appeared, it felt awkward and it was a tough situation. I had never been in a situation like this before with trade rumors. Mentally, it was tough.

I have a no-trade/no movement clause in my contract. I picked those teams because I didn’t want to stand in the way of the team in case they felt like they needed to move me. That’s the person I am. I put those teams there as alternatives, but I never really wanted to move. I never really wanted to do anything but stay in Arizona. I’m really happy that it ended this way. I really like to live there and it would have been very hard for me to leave.

What a team first guy. Doesn't really want to get moved but also doesn't want to feel like he's holding back his current team's needs.

They don't make em' like OEL any more. For now, and what appears for awhile, Ekman-Larsson remains in the desert.  

Photo credit: Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire