Rumor: Vancouver Canucks & Arizona Coyotes Finalizing Deal

According to multiple sources, the Vancouver Canucks and Arizona Coyotes have revisited trade talks from last summer and are closing in on a deal that sees Oliver Ekman-Larsson head up to Western Canada.

Kypreos: I'm hearing Vancouver is trying to move out Schmidt to bring in OEL https://t.co/l3BnmAG5xz
— Taj (@taj1944) July 8, 2021

Canucks general manager Jim Benning has a ton of interest in OEL, and was close to acquiring him before. He's a busy executive at the moment with these trade talks and dealing with defenseman Nate Schmidt wanting out, so perhaps he's able to link to the two deals.

As for Ekman-Larsson, he's been the face of the Coyotes for over a decade now and last season appeared in 46 games, recording 24 points. The Swedish mobile defender carries a hefty cap hit of $8.25 million per season so if Canucks fans were complaining about Loui Eriksson making too much money, wait until 2026-27...

At this point it's expected any trade the Canucks make will likely include Schmidt and Jake Virtanen. Keep an eye on these two teams as the Coyotes are trying to move all their veterans out including Ekman-Larsson, Conor Garland, Phil Kessel and Darcy Kuemper, meanwhile the Canucks have a horrible track record lately with letting talent go for nothing, so Benning is trying to redeem himself this summer.