‘He left his pregnant wife at home’: Sweden’s OEL decision has people talking
Photo credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
Team Sweden decided they weren't going to use Oliver Ekman-Larsson in their first game of the Olympics, but maybe they should have given the circumstances.
Although Team Sweden came into Wednesday's game as one of the favorites for the men's ice hockey portion of the 2026 Olympics, they had a bit of a tough time initially after a strong performance from Italy made things way closer than expected.
William Nylander was the hero, and he was able to help the Swedes hang out and come away with a much more comfortable 5-2 win.
But it was his Maple Leafs and fellow Team Sweden teammate Oliver Ekman-Larsson who is getting a lot of attention not because of what he did on the ice -- but rather his absence.
Sweden did OEL dirty with lack of shifts in opener vs. Italy
Sweden decided to sit the veteran and he didn't play a shift, an odd choice given how good he's been this year.
They may have had a little bit of an easier time, but the team also may have owed Ekman-Larsson considering he gave up a lot to be there.
According to Sportsnet's Luke Fox, Ekman-Larsson had to leave his pregnant wife behind as he headed across the world, and Sweden should have at least tried him out:
He left his pregnant wife at home to be here... No medals on the line, you’re playing the Italians, give the guy a shift.
If that truly is the case, then coach Sam Hallam and the rest of Sweden's coaching staff likely owe OEL an apology.
OEL deserves one shift at least barem minimum
While it's certainly an honor to be selected to be part of the Olympics, if he's not going to play then it's a bit disheartening for him to be so far away when he isn't seen as a top priority in Milan.
He should be though, as the veteran defender has looked much like his younger self this season and has been one of the bright spots in an up and down season for the Maple Leafs.
In 57 games, he's posted 34 points (8 goals, 26 assists) as well as a minus-one and 36 PIM in 20:45 TOI.
There's been talks about Ekman-Larsson potentially being dealt at the trade deadline and if the Maple Leafs were hoping that a strong Olympics could raise his stock more, seeing him left out hurts their trade situation as well.
Hopefully when Sweden takes on their Scandinavian rivals Finland on Friday that we see OEL in the lineup, or at the very least touch the ice.
It's the least they can do for a guy who gave up quite a bit just for the chance to play.
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