Ekman-Larsson sets Friday deadline for potential trade to Bruins or Canucks

Oliver Ekman-Larsson's agent informed the teams involved that the defenseman will stick with the Arizona Coyotes if a trade to the Boston Bruins or Vancouver Canucks doesn't materialize by the start of free agency Friday, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.

Ekman-Larsson has seven years remaining on his contract that carries an $8.25-million annual cap hit and includes a full no-movement clause. After the Coyotes expressed their desire to move him, the 29-year-old approved Boston and Vancouver as destinations he'd waive his no-movement clause for.

The Coyotes captain had the worst offensive season of his career in 2019-20, tallying nine goals and 21 assists in 66 games. He averaged 17 goals and 45 points a season from 2013-14 until 2018-19.

The Bruins and Canucks have no first-round picks in the upcoming draft. Boston has a projected cap space of $14.4 million with Torey Krug, Zdeno Chara, and Jake DeBrusk as pending free agents. The Canucks have a projected cap space of $14.3 million but have Tyler Toffoli, Jacob Markstrom, Chris Tanev, and Josh Leivo set to hit the market.