As the NHL trade deadline on March 6 inches closer, the buzz around the league is picking up steam. With the Olympic break and a roster freeze looming, front offices are feeling the pressure, and the rumor mill is spinning faster than usual for mid-January. This is the time of year when predictions fly, insiders drop cryptic hints, and fanbases start dreaming up blockbuster deals that could shift the playoff picture.
One of the more intriguing names floating around the trade rumor circuit right now? Adam Larsson.
Yes, that Adam Larsson-the steady, right-shot defenseman currently anchoring the Seattle Kraken blue line, and formerly a key piece of the Edmonton Oilers’ defense corps. Larsson, of course, was part of the infamous one-for-one deal that sent Taylor Hall to the Devils and brought him to Edmonton, where he played five seasons before departing in free agency.
Now, with the Oilers in the market for a physical, shutdown presence on the back end-someone who could slot in nicely next to Darnell Nurse on a second pairing-Larsson’s name has resurfaced as a potential fit. On paper, it makes a lot of sense. He brings the kind of defensive reliability and edge that Edmonton’s blue line could use more of as they gear up for what they hope is a deep postseason run.
But here’s the catch: a reunion in Edmonton doesn’t seem likely.
Larsson, now 33, is in the first year of a four-year, $21 million extension he signed with Seattle in 2024. He’s logged 46 games this season with 11 points (four goals and seven assists)-solid numbers for a defense-first blueliner who isn’t counted on for offense. More importantly, he holds a full no-movement clause, and there’s little indication he’d be willing to waive it to head back to Alberta.
And it’s not about money. Edmonton reportedly offered Larsson a comparable deal when he hit free agency-both a five-year offer in the high $3 million range annually, and a four-year contract similar to the $16 million he ultimately accepted from the Kraken.
But Larsson’s departure wasn’t financially motivated. As previously reported, family considerations played a major role in his decision to leave Edmonton, and those factors haven’t changed.
So while the Oilers might love the idea of bringing back Larsson-who fits the mold of a younger version of Mattias Ekholm, the kind of rugged, dependable defenseman who can eat minutes and tilt the ice in your favor-it’s hard to envision a scenario where Larsson uproots his family and waives his no-move clause with three years left on his deal.
Still, the Oilers’ interest in a player like Larsson tells us something about their trade deadline mindset. They’re not just looking for a rental-they want a long-term, stabilizing force on the back end.
Whether or not that player ends up being Larsson, expect GM Stan Bowman to be active as March approaches. The Oilers are in win-now mode, and they’re clearly targeting the type of defenseman who can help them weather the grind of playoff hockey.
And while Larsson may not be walking through that door, the blueprint he represents is one to watch.