With training camp well underway, there’s the traditional preseason optimism inside the Toronto Maple Leafs’ dressing room, including from those on the blue line.

When speaking to the media on Friday morning, defenceman Oliver Ekman-Larsson talked about a few topics, including the identity of the team’s defencive unit. He stated that the chemistry the group started to build last season will help the team be successful in 2025-26.

“We pretty much have the same D-corps, and some new guys,” Ekman-Larsson said. “But I feel like over the last year we kind of built that chemistry and felt like we were doing a good job of that and we wanted to build on that again.”

The back end in Toronto has often been a criticism of the team over the past few years, though the team made some strides last season, going from allowing 263 goals during the 2023-24 season to giving up 231 last year while winning the Atlantic Division.

“You want to defend well throughout the year,” Ekman-Larsson said, “But I think that just gives us a little bit…feeling more comfortable back there…more defending well, and then from defending well, I think everything else kind of comes into play.”

Ekman-Larsson also discussed what it’s like, as a player, trying to gear up for training camp. The Swedish rearguard pointed out that working on his speed, strength and stamina comes first over puck skills for him.

“I think it’s everything. You’re obviously trying to come in here in good shape. … I don’t really focus on the hands right now. It’s more the legs and kind of being in the right spot, getting into battles and that kind of stuff. I feel like, the hard part in the summer, you don’t really bump into guys and that stuff. So, I think it’s good to have a skate like yesterday and even today, bump into guys and being a little bit more active with your body and feet. That usually takes a little bit of time, but I feel pretty good with it.”

Ekman-Larsson himself is coming off a solid first season with the Maple Leafs. After signing a four-year, $3.5 million AAV contract last July, the veteran appeared in 77 games, scoring four goals and 25 assists for 29 points, the third time in the last four seasons he has reached that point total. He posted a career-best plus/minus of +14 while averaging over 21 minutes of ice time per game.

He also notched two goals and four points in 13 postseason games before the Leafs were eliminated in Game 7 of the second round by the eventual Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers.

The former Arizona Coyote came to Toronto after winning his first Stanley Cup with the Panthers in 2024. He was brought in to provide some stability and experience to a team that still had a lot of unproven talent, at least in the playoffs. Ekman-Larsson went so far as to say, on Thursday, that he wouldn’t be with the Leafs if he didn’t think the team had a shot at winning it all.

“ I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t think we could win,” OEL said on Thursday. “ That’s the main thing for me, especially in this time of my career too, I haven’t had that taste to actually go all the way.”

Love baseball? Don’t miss The 6ix Inning Stretch — the brand new podcast from The Nation Network, presented by Betway. Hosted by Toronto sports reporter Lindsay Dunn and 3-time MLB All-Star Whit Merrifield, this weekly show delivers insider stories, unfiltered Jays talk, player interviews, and expert analysis from around the majors. New episodes drop every Wednesday — listen on your favourite podcast platform or watch on the Bluejaysnation YouTube channel.