The Edmonton Oilers will get a massive addition back to the lineup on Saturday

PUBLICATION

Joshua Deeds
October 14, 2023 (6:59)

SHARE THIS STORY

The Edmonton Oilers had their struggles against the Vancouver Canucks as they lost 8-1 in the regular season opener. The team was lacking in collective effort, especially on the subject of defense.

But there's great news ahead for the Oilers, as one of their key blueliners will return to the ice Saturday.

"I think he's had really good days," Oilers coach Jay Woodcroft said Friday of the defenceman, who missed all of training camp. "I think part of us holding back from the last game was more just us trying to be as smart as possible in getting Mattias what he needs in order to get him ready to play. He looked good out there to me and had another good day."

Mattias Ekholm, Evan Bouchard's partner is due to return to play on Saturday night.

All the while, Darnell Nurse and Evan Bouchard were paired during training camp as a first pairing combination, it looks like Woodcroft seems to like Bouchard and Ekholm best, as they will play together again once Ekholm has returned.

According to Ryan Rishaug of TSN, it seems likely that this will be the case if practice was any indication.

According to TSN Oilers reporter Ryan Rishaug, "based on practice today, if Ekholm is in on Saturday, it looks like it'll be he and Bouchard (paired together)."

The best news of all, is that Ekholm will finally return to the lineup after he expected the recovery from his hip-injury to last longer than it has.

For now, Ekholm has practiced all week and is undoubtedly ready to contribute to the next Oilers regular season game.