“Convinced OEL still has great hockey” • Per Bjurman on Oliver Ekman-Larsson’s move to the NHL

New York. There is no point on the NHL map farther between Vancouver and Sunrise in South Florida.

For Oliver Ekman Larson to become a cat is an event that seems like an idea.

With a past at such an infinite distance, hopefully Småland will undergo a rebirth.

Before the NHL opens its free agency window Saturday night, the usual cynics — myself included… — warned that because of the very limited wiggle room under the salary cap, it might not happen as often as everyone hopes.

Then the clock struck 18.00, Swedish time, and – boom! In fact, more happened in a few hours than in the average “Indiana Jones” adventure.

Among other things, it was immediately obvious that Oliver Eckman-Larson, after thirteen years in the Western Conference, would move east and become the Florida Cat.

It’s still great hockey in its own right

Excellent, is my spontaneous reaction. The last years in Vancouver have not been very pleasant, and a couple of weeks ago the Swedish general manager Patrick Alfvén made the decision to buy out the remainder of the contract of the 31-year-old young towers.

But I’m pretty convinced OEL still has great hockey and 548 miles of the boring thing that happened will generate a new spark.

Yes, the role will be a little smaller than that of the Canucks, but with pressure as well – and perhaps exceptionally fun to play in this Panthers version, led by eventual warrior Matthew Tkachuk, you must have slept two months on end for no idea.

Unsecured handguns

Gustav Nyquist was soon keen to get him signed to a new contract – with the Nashville Predators. Not bad either. With his speed and excellent sense of play, he would be useful in a team struggling in the midfield. Barry Trotz is the worst technical cutter in his new role as GM. First he traded Ryan Johansen to Colorado then bought Matt Duchene and now he’s signed up with Ryan O’Reilly – the best center on the market – Luke Shinn and then “Joss”. Undeniably sexy.

The other general manager who left the Pistols uninsured on Saturday was the New York Rangers. He’s signed more players than he can afford — including buying Winnipeg icon Blake Wheeler and LA Kings goaltending legends Jonathan Quick, Nick Bonino, Reilly Nash and Tyler Pitlick — fueling speculation he’s preparing some kind of monster deal.

Another hill in Småland might be on the way to Manhattan. Ah, you can dream a little…

John Kellenberg, for his part, may have been looking for a longer contract, but he will again get the chance to sign a more comprehensive one-season deal and this time, unlike last year, it will happen in a good team. There is a lot of talk about the Toronto Maple Leafs, they are and remain rivals.

I left some heavy names in there

Otherwise, it could be argued that the Carolina Hurricanes snagged one of their heaviest deals by signing defender Dimitri Orlov, and that Alex Killorn is being paid so well ($25 million for four years!) that when he leaves Tampa for Anaheim after eleven years, it’s amusing that Pierre Engvall stays on Long Island for seven years and it’s been as typical as rain in the middle of summer that Elon Musk, in his infinite wisdom, restricts my Twitter feeds to the day of the year when I need to feed the most.

It can also be said that we – at least at the time of this writing, 00.30 – still have some heavyweight names. For example, Vladimir Tarasenko, Patrick Kane (who has had hip surgery, will miss large parts of the fall season and is in no rush), Matt Dumba, Phil Kessel, Alex Kerfoot, and Swedes like Oscar Sundqvist, Alex Edler, Patrick Nemeth and Robert Haag.

It could be a long summer for us NHL geeks.

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Some of the new Saturday contracts in the NHL

• Rayyan O’ReillyNashville Predators – $18 million, four years.

• Dmitry OrlovCarolina Hurricanes – $15.5 million, 2 years

• not shiny DuchenneDallas Stars – $3 million, 1 year

• Blake WheelerNY Rangers – $1.1 million, 1 year.

• Oliver Ekman LarsonFlorida Panthers – $2.25 million, 1 year

• Gustav NyquistNashville Predators – $6.37 million, for two years.

• John KlingbergToronto Maple Leafs – $4.15 million for one year

• Alex KillornAnaheim Ducks – $25 million, four years

• mosques transportation car RiemsdykeBoston Bruins – $1 million, 1 year

• Jonas CorbesaloOttawa Senators – $20 million, five years

• lok ShaneNashville Predators – $8.25 million, three years

• Jonathan fastNew York Rangers – $850,000, 1 year

• Cam TalbotLA Kings – $1 million, 1 year

• Eric JohnsonBuffalo Sabers – $3.25 million – 1 year

• Radko JuddAnaheim Ducks – $12 million, three years

• Milan lusecBoston Bruins – $1 million, 1 year

• Connor CliftonBuffalo Sabers – $10 million, three years

• Mackenzie black woodSan Jose Sharks – $4.7 million – 2 years

• lok glindingTampa Bay Lightning – $1.6 million, 2 years

• Ian ColeVancouver Canucks – $3 million, 1 year

• Max PaciorettyWashington Capitals – $2 million, 1 year

• Kevin ShattenkirkBoston Bruins – $1 million, 1 year

• Connor CherryTampa Bay Lightning – $6 million, three years

• nick village townArizona Coyotes – $2.2 million, 1 year

• Michael BuntingCarolina Hurricanes – $13.5 million, three years

• Nick BoninoNew York Rangers – $800,000, 1 year

• Lars EllerPittsburgh Penguins – $4.9 million, 2 years

• Kevin StenlundFlorida Panthers – $1 million, 1 year

• Eric GustafsonNew York Rangers – $825,000, 1 year

• Eric CalgrenNew Jersey Devils – $775,000 – 1 year

• Jonas JohanssonTampa Bay Lightning $1.55 million for two years.