GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) The Arizona Coyotes have undergone massive changes in recent years, parting ways with key players while overhauling their roster.
Defenseman Oliver Ekman Larsson has been the one constant and he’s going to be in the desert a long time.
The Coyotes signed the two-time All-Star defenseman to an eight-year contract extension on Sunday that averages $8.25 million per year.
The contract comes on the heels of a six-year, $33 million contract Ekman-Larsson signed in 2013.
Arizona also signed Niklas Hjalmarsson to a two-year contract averaging $5.5 million per year, locking up its top two defensemen, and added forward Michael Grabner to a three-year contract averaging $3.35 million.
”Oliver is one of the NHL’s premier defensemen and we are ecstatic to have him signed for the long-term,” Coyotes GM John Chayka said. ”He’s a special player and person and we want to build our team around him. You can’t win in this League without a star, elite defenseman and we’re fortunate to have that in OEL. We look forward to many years ahead with him as our leader on and off the ice.”
The 26-year-old Swede was an All-Star for the second time in his career last season, finishing with 14 goals and 28 assists. Ekman-Larsson is second among Arizona defensemen with 102 career goals and 290 points since being selected with the sixth overall pick of the 2009 NHL draft.
”This is a very happy day for me and my family,” Ekman-Larsson said. ”I have always loved living and playing in Arizona and this is where I want to be. I signed with the Coyotes because I believe in our team, I believe in our fans and I believe in this market and I want to win here.”
Ekman-Larsson has taken over a leadership role with the Coyotes since the team parted ways with long-time captain Shane Doan last offseason and overhauled their roster with younger players. Arizona recently traded Max Domi, one of its top young players, to Montreal for young scorer Alex Galchenyuk.
The 30-year-old Grabner had 27 goals and nine assists in 80 games with the New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils last season. The Austrian forward has scored 20 or more goals four times in nine seasons, including 27 each of the past two.
Grabner has 158 goals and 91 assists with five teams since being selected with the 14th overall pick of the 2006 draft by Vancouver.
—
More NHL hockey: https://apnews.com/tag/NHLhockey
25% Bonus via Western Union
