Insider Believes Adam Larsson Will Test Free Agency, $5M x 5 on Table

Originally posted on NHL Trade Talk | Last updated 7/17/21

For fans who want to see defenseman Adam Larsson return to the Edmonton Oilers, it’s still possible, but things are looking grimmer by the day. The latest report comes from Daniel Nugent-Bowman of The Athletic, who writes, “The chances of pending unrestricted free agent Adam Larsson returning to the Oilers appear to be diminishing with every passing day.”

Nugent-Bowman contends that sources have relayed to him, Larsson is more interested in exploring the free agent market than he ever was and there’s a belief that there’s real value out there for him. The scribe adds:

Larsson is expected to be a hot commodity in free agency — should he make it there. As noted, I’m told a team is willing to offer the defensive blueliner a five-year deal with at least a $5 million AAV in free agency. The Oilers theoretically could make such a deal work under their budget, but it might limit improvements to the roster in other areas.

Nugent-Bowman isn’t the only one who is concerned for the Oilers when it comes to Larsson. Elliotte Friedman was a guest on Oilers Now with Bob Stauffer and agreed with Stauffer that Larsson will likely test the market. Friedman did say there was a risk for the player too and that if the Oilers found something else they like, Larsson could move. In any situation like this, a player takes a gamble testing the market. “To me, if Larsson is doing that, he thinks there’s something out there for him.”

Friedman suggests that there’s not a ton of money out there for free agents, even if it might sound like a few key players are going to be getting big deals. “If you’re going out to test the market, you’re either being underbid by your current team, or you’re convinced that there’s something out there for you.”

Is There Something Out There for Larsson?

How much Larsson can get on the open market is an interesting question. Can he get the $5 million by five years Nugent-Bowman suggests? Perhaps and it’s unlikely the Oilers have expected to have to go that high to keep him in the fold. The Philadelphia Flyers might be a team that is interested, but they are also rumored to have keen interest in a bigger fish like Seth Jones or Dougie Hamilton.

Larsson could still sign with the Oilers, which would happen after the expansion draft if it happens. There are some who believe all this talk about him leaving is just chatter. If he has a pocket deal worked out, the Oilers could announce an extension just hours, or a couple of days after Seattle picks their team.

This article first appeared on NHL Trade Talk and was syndicated with permission.

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