New York Islanders Daily: Oliver Ekman-Larsson Off The Board

It looks like there’s going to be a defenseman option off the board for the New York Islanders as Oliver Ekman-Larsson is likely extending with Arizona.

In the next week or so the New York Islanders will be looking to acquire a defenseman and a goalie. Well, one of Lou Lamoriello’s options on the blue line is about to be taken off the board by Arizona.

The Coyotes are going to extend Olive Ekman-Larsson to an eight-year extension on July 1, according to Elliotte Friedman. He’s heading into the final year of a six-year $33 million contract that gave him an AAV of $5.5 million.

He’ll likely get a significant raise from that, as he’s 26-years-old and is coming off four out of the last five years with over 40 points.

OEL was a dream scenario for the Islanders to nab on defense, but with him off the market, the Islanders are going to have to pivot and find another option. Islanders fans are oddly confident, something that’s been rare to see over the last few years.

I have faith in Lou Lamoriello to be able to find another quality defenseman who can be brought in whether it’s in free agency on July 1 or a trade at the draft.

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