Report: The price Leafs have to pay to acquire Ekman-Larsson

One of the inevitable truths about the Toronto Maple Leafs is that their defense is simply not good enough to carry them through the post-season. They've been linked with numerous players, but their greatest interest lies with two players, as The Fourth Period's David Pagnotta explains.

"The Leafs have been linked to having significant interest in Avalanche defenseman Tyson Barrie and Arizona Coyotes star Oliver “don’t look at my +/-” Ekman-Larsson.

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So, what about Ekman-Larsson? Coyotes GM John Chayka has been fairly quiet on the subject lately, at least publicly, and given Arizona’s position in the standings and their strong chances of drafting first-overall in Dallas on June 22, it’s likely in his best interest to start entertaining trade calls. 

Ekman-Larsson isn’t the only Coyotes defenseman in play, as Jason Demers, Niklas Hjalmarsson and Luke Schenn are believed to be on the block, but he’ll command the highest return by a mile.

The Leafs could utilize their young forward talent to package up a deal for Ekman-Larsson, with the likes of Connor Brown, currently on pace for the second 20-goal season of his two-season NHL career, Kasperi Kapanen, Frederik Gauthier and Zach Hyman potentially available. Could Brown, Kapanen, a top prospect and a first-round draft pick, get things percolating?"

The general consensus is that it would probably take William Nylander to get a deal like this done, but Pagnotta may be on to something. Gauthier is likely not the type of player Chayka is looking for, and Hyman is one of Mike Babcock's favourite players. 

So how about Brown, Kapanen, a 1st, and potentially another pick or prospect?

The reported price, according to Bruce Garrioch earlier this month, is two solid NHL players and a first round pick. Brown is a young, hustling 20-goal scorer, and Kapanen has proven that he has a ton of potential. Given the fact that neither is an absolute guaranteed stud, an added piece on top of a first round pick would be needed to make this happen.

Would you be willing to make that trade for Oliver Ekman-Larsson?

Drafted 6th overall in 2009, Ekman-Larsson has 271 points in 543 games.