SAN JOSE, Calif. – The Coyotes’ Oliver Ekman-Larsson is an offensive playmaker and a power-play quarterback.
He has a knack for scoring game-winning goals – especially in overtime – and his prowess with the puck has helped him earn a spot in team and NHL record books.
But Ekman-Larsson is also a defenseman.
A No. 1 defenseman, to be exact.
“I think the perception out there is Oliver is an All Star in the sense that he’s a point-producing guy,” said Coyotes associate coach Jim Playfair, who oversees the defense. “Well, he does that but I think he does it very well from a defending base.