While the Toronto Maple Leafs face one of their most challenging stretches this season, veteran defenceman Oliver Ekman-Larsson remains a steadying presence in the locker room. The team has managed just one victory in their last eight games and currently sits at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings as they embark on a critical five-game road trip.
Drawing from Past Struggles
Ekman-Larsson knows what it means to overcome adversity in professional hockey. After being bought out by the Vancouver Canucks in 2023, his NHL career appeared uncertain until he signed with the Florida Panthers that summer. Less than a year later, he was celebrating with hockey's ultimate prize after the Panthers captured their first Stanley Cup championship, with Ekman-Larsson playing in all 24 playoff games during their successful run.
The Swedish defenceman isn't suggesting a similar championship outcome awaits the struggling Leafs, but he maintains that all hope for a playoff position hasn't been lost. "If you look at the standings, we're five, six points behind and we're not 25, 30 points out if we're going to be positive here," Ekman-Larsson said following Tuesday's practice at the Ford Performance Centre.
Maintaining Belief in the System
Despite the team's disappointing performance, Ekman-Larsson firmly rejects any notion that players aren't aligned with head coach Craig Berube. "I know that's not the case," he stated. "We all love the guy behind the bench. It comes down to us players."
The 34-year-old defenceman has been one of Toronto's most consistent performers this season, alongside John Tavares and William Nylander. However, personal achievements mean little to him amid the team's struggles. "It's all about team stuff and I don't really care about points," Ekman-Larsson emphasized. "I care about wins. I know everybody in here feels the same way and that's why it's a little bit tougher."
The Road Ahead
The Maple Leafs face significant challenges in their immediate schedule. Their five-game trip begins Wednesday in Columbus against the Blue Jackets, a team that has already defeated Toronto twice this season. The journey continues with stops in Washington, Pittsburgh, Florida, and Carolina.
Ekman-Larsson identified the team's defensive issues as a primary concern. Toronto ranks third in the NHL with 54 goals at five-on-five but sits 31st in goals-against at five-on-five, having allowed 60. "We have to be better defensively and we have been in the past," he acknowledged. "That's why we're standing here and talking about it. We know we can score."
The veteran defenceman believes the team's current struggles could ultimately define their season. "You go through struggles and I feel like it's the struggles that set the tone for the rest of the season," he explained. "It's how you get out of it and how you deal with it. I've had some rough seasons, but we do have a veteran team and I do feel like everybody is pulling the same way."
As the Maple Leafs look to reverse their fortunes, Ekman-Larsson's message to his teammates remains simple and direct: "Put the work boots on and go get it."
