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The Arizona Coyotes captain is staying put in the desert.
After nearly two weeks of rumours connecting Oliver Ekman-Larsson to the Vancouver Canucks, the deal is now dead in the water according to The Athletic’s Craig Morgan.
Oliver Ekman-Larsson's agent Kevin Epp tells me that OEL is staying with the Coyotes: "Time's up."
— Craig Morgan (@CraigSMorgan) October 9, 2020
Ekman-Larsson’s agent Kevin Epp announced earlier in the week that the Coyotes had until the beginning of free agency to trade Ekman-Larsson, otherwise the 29-year-old was staying put in Arizona.
It was reported for weeks that Ekman-Larsson would waive his no trade clause to go to either Boston or Vancouver. Although Arizona wanted to circle back to Boston for a trade, it was the Canucks who were reportedly pushing hard to make this deal happen.
Benning, as we reported, went back at Arizona today, but the latest offer did not move the process along. Canucks are done trying as is Boston, hence OEL is now off the market...unless he decides to revisit options down the road. https://t.co/6JjUYta13J
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) October 9, 2020
With Ekman-Larsson now off the market, the Canucks are going to have their work cut out for them to improve the defence. Chris Tanev and Troy Stecher are available unrestricted free agents, although there haven’t been any rumblings about the returning to Vancouver.
Another name that’s been mentioned for more than a year is Tyson Barrie. Is this a guy that the Canucks might circle back on, now that Ekman-Larsson is staying put in Arizona?