The Toronto Maple Leafs and free-agent defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson agreed to a four-year deal with a $3.5-million annual cap hit, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.

Ekman-Larsson marks the second major acquisition on the blue line for the Leafs, who signed Chris Tanev to a six-year contract after acquiring his rights from the Dallas Stars before free agency.

Ekman-Larsson is coming off a one-year stint with the Florida Panthers. He registered nine goals and 32 points in the regular season and chipped in with six points in the playoffs while helping Florida win the Stanley Cup.

The 32-year-old Swede enjoyed a resurgence with the Panthers following a disappointing two seasons in Vancouver that ended with the Canucks buying out his contract.

Ekman-Larsson began his career with the Arizona Coyotes, where he was a mainstay from 2010-21 and made two All-Star teams.

The Leafs' defense core now features Morgan Rielly, Jake McCabe, Ekman-Larsson, Tanev, and Timothy Liljegren in the top five spots.

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