Leafs grab Ekman-Larsson for 4 years, $3.5M AAV

The Toronto Maple Leafs and free-agent defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson agreed to a four-year deal with a $3.5-million annual cap hit on Monday.

Ekman-Larsson marks the second major acquisition on the blue line for the Leafs, who signed Chris Tanev to a six-year contract after acquiring his rights from the Dallas Stars before free agency.

Toronto also signed rearguard Jani Hakanpaa to a two-year deal that carries a $1.5-million average annual value, reports TSN's Darren Dreger. Hakanpaa drove possession this past season with a 50.19 expected goals for percentage at five-on-five, per Natural Stat Trick.

Ekman-Larsson is coming off a one-year stint with the Florida Panthers. He registered nine goals and 32 points in the regular season and chipped in with six points in the playoffs while helping Florida win the Stanley Cup.

The 32-year-old Swede enjoyed a resurgence with the Panthers following a disappointing two seasons in Vancouver that ended with the Canucks buying out his contract.

Ekman-Larsson began his career with the Arizona Coyotes, where he was a mainstay from 2010-21 and made two All-Star teams.

Hakanpaa played the last three campaigns with the Stars, who signed him as a free agent in July 2021. The 32-year-old dished out 196 hits and blocked 123 shots with Dallas in 2023-24.

The Leafs' defense core now includes Morgan Rielly, Jake McCabe, Ekman-Larsson, Tanev, Hakanpaa, and Timothy Liljegren.