The Edmonton Oilers and Adam Larsson are discussing a four-year contract extension, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported Saturday.
Before the trade deadline, the Oilers and Adam Larsson began contract negotiations and while they’re not done, they made good progress. The word is both sides are hopeful. There won’t be any conversation between now until the Oilers finish the season but there is a lot of optimism Larsson will be extended around four years.
Larsson, 28, is in his fifth season with the Edmonton Oilers on a contract paying him a reasonable $4.13-million, and is much more known for his strong defensive play than his offensive prowess.
This year he’s scored three goals and nine points this season, and has totaled 67 points in 326 games with the Oilers.
According to hockeyviz.com, a hockey analytics website that isolates players impacts at even-strength by comparing expected goal averages, Larsson provides defensive value at an 11 percent rate higher than league average and offence at a seven percent rate below league average.
These numbers have has large impacts on both the Oilers offence, and defence this year. With Larsson on the ice, the Oilers have a 22 percent worse expected goals for per hour rate than league average, but defensively, Edmonton has a 19 percent better expected goals against rate than league average.
Zach Laing is the Nation Network’s news director and senior columnist. He can be followed on Twitter at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach@oilersnation.com.
