Oilers Could Use Mattias Ekholm on Their Blueline

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William
January 14, 2023 (4:51 PM)

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The fact that Mattias Ekholm has been in trade rumors is a bit surprising. He just signed a four-year $25 million contract this offseason good through the 2025-26 season. If another team is seeking a left-shot second-pairing defenseman, he can fill that role. He's a steady defensive blueliner who has four goals and 15 points in 41 games this season. He doesn't have any trade protection in his contract.

With this news, it seems plausible that the Nashville team will be experiencing a re-tool, which means other players may be moved soon. Having three defensemen on your blue line that basically average $6.5 million or more, is probably pretty problematic moving forward.

A team like the Edmonton Oilers may be checking out adding Ekholm to their blueline. Darnell Nurse could sure use some help. He is logging almost 24 minutes a game and that workload has shown him to make some defensive lapses.

The Oilers of course have been trying to unload Jesse Puljujarvi and his $3 million cap hit. Could the Predators be interested in him? Perhaps, but it will take more than that to land Ekholm. It may include the Oilers adding Evan Bouchard who will be a restricted free agent this July.

If the Oilers want Ekholm to make a playoff run, they better move quickly. The Ottawa Senators and Los Angeles Kings may have interest in him as well.