Toronto Maple Leafs sign Stanley Cup champ Oliver Ekman-Larsson

Ekman-Larsson, an NHL veteran of 982 games most recently spent one year in Florida skating in 80 games where he contributed 9 goals along with 23 assists. In 22 playoff games he scored 2 goals and four assists.

Adding a player of Ekman-Larsson's calibre signals a change within the Maple Leafs back end. With the addition of Chris Tanev along with Morgan Reilly and Jake McCabe it gives them a look that on the surface looks like it could be tougher to play against.

Will the Leafs be tougher to play against? If everything pans out, they could be in for a longer season than normal. OEL has the pedigree and experience needed as well as the ability to lead on the ice and inside the locker room.

Toronto has been needing some much needed help on the back end for years and now that they have a top six that includes Matthews, Marner, Tavares and Nylander locked up for the forseeable future and a back end that includes Joseph Woll, tinkering with their defence was something that Brad Treliving needed to do.