Maple Leafs notebook: Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Tinus Luc Koblar shine at IIHF World Championship

Oliver Ekman-Larsson is captaining Sweden and carrying strong offensive production into the 2026 IIHF World Championship. He led all defencemen with two goals and seven points before Saturday’s contests, and his point production has been important to Sweden’s success so far. Sweden includes veterans and two projected top-10 draft picks, Ivar Stenberg and Viggo Bjorck, and is expected to contend for gold. Tinus Luc Koblar is making a name for himself for Norway, holding up against elite competition. Norway nearly upset Canada by forcing overtime, and Koblar contributed with a goal and an assist while taking top-line duties.

"Ekman-Larsson is captaining Sweden this year, a team that features a mix of veterans, along with two projected top-10 picks in this summer's draft, in Ivar Stenberg and Viggo Bjorck. Coming off a season where Ekman-Larsson featured as the Maple Leafs' best defenceman, he's carried his excellent form onto the international stage. Prior to Saturday's contests, Ekman-Larsson led all defencemen with two goals and seven points."

"Sweden is expected to contend for the gold medal, where Ekman-Larsson's playmaking from the point has been a crucial part of its success to date. His playmaking from the point has been a crucial part of its success to date."

"Koblar is beginning to make a name for himself at this year's tournament. Toronto's 2025 second-round pick is still considered several. years away from the NHL, but he's holding up well against elite competition. Koblar and his countrymen almost shocked the hockey world, by forcing Canada to overtime during Thursday's game."

"TLK took over top-line duties for Norway and had a goal and an assist. The goal was a bit of an accidental one as he got more in the way of the shot than anything, but it shows you that he does a good job of driving to the net and taking up space. Koblar is a big-bodied, two-way forwa"

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