Arizona Coyotes MVP This Season: Oliver Ekman-Larsson

By William Grigsby |

If I Had To Choose An Arizona Coyotes MVP This Season, It Must Be Oliver Ekman-Larsson

It’s difficult to imagine that Oliver Ekman-Larsson will be finishing up his fifth season as an Arizona Coyotes defenseman. He has progressed nicely since his first season in ’10-’11. His production has increased each season with just 11 points initially, and the past two seasons accumulating 44 points last season, and 43 points thus far this season.

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The difference this season has been his goal scoring, and his clutch goal scoring in overtime games to win the game. He has seven game winning goals this season, and he had six last season. His ten power play goals this season, leads the NHL for defensemen. He could be described as the “go to” player for the Arizona Coyotes.

Team-mate and team captain Shane Doan commented on OEL as he tied the franchise record for goals by a defenseman, with his 23rd league leading goal, in the 5-3 victory over the Sharks on April 4th.

To put things into perspective, OEL’s second goal lifted him into a first-place tie with Phil Housley for goals scored in a season by a defenseman in Coyotes/Jets history. Housley scored 23 goals for Winnipeg in 1990-91 and again in 1991-92. Ekman-Larsson was born on July 11, 1991.

“I’ve been saying for a while that he’s a special player,” captain Shane Doan said. “I don’t really think there’s too many people in the league I would trade him for. He’s our best offensive player and our best defensive player. He’s special and it’s disappointing he doesn’t get respect nationally that I think he deserves, but what he’s doing this year obviously speaks for itself.”

His leadership qualities have also been recognized by the team, when they promoted him to assistant captain, after Keith Yandle was traded at the trade deadline last month. I’m sure everyone expects OEL to take over the captaincy as soon as Shane Doan retires. He has the respect of his team-mates, and leads by example, just like Doan.

Being a clutch player has really elevated his worth to the team, and has made him a fan favorite. The Arizona Coyotes have relied on scoring from their blue line, and with Yandle departing, Oliver Ekman-Larsson just naturally filled that void.

He also was the only Arizona Coyotes player to be named to the NHL All-Star squad this season. The experience was another highlight to his still new NHL career.

“It’s a big honor for me to go there and represent the Coyotes,” Ekman-Larsson said. “It’s going to be a lot of fun to be around the top players in this league. I’ve always wanted to go to the All-Star Game. I want to take my game to the next level and I’m hoping this experience will help me do that.”

The limit of this young man’s future is endless. He even came out with his own underwear line last year.

Operating under the name OEL of Sweden, his site offers a variety of designer style underwear in a few different color options.

Whether he is scoring goals, or starting his own business, Oliver Ekman-Larsson knows how to get things done. Let’s hope he will lead this Arizona Coyotes team next season to new heights of accomplishment, and help his team make the playoffs.

Next: Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Kyle Chipchura Named Alternate Captains

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