Ekholm's Future With Oilers Seems Pretty Clear

Mattias Ekholm & Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers

Mattias Ekholm has been a great addition to the Edmonton Oilers since being acquired during the 2022-23 season. He can do it all and is a great leader as well as team player, further shown through comments made about his next contract.

Ekholm is heading into the final year of his current four-year deal at $6.25 million AAV ($6 million AAV with the Oilers) and he still plays the game at a high level despite now being 35 years old. The defenseman said, "Absolutely I want to stay in Edmonton, but I know you have to take care of the big boys first. Once he (Connor McDavid) gets done, I'm sure we will talk. I'm getting up there (age) but I know what I bring."

The focus is all on McDavid's next deal, and rightfully so considering the Oilers will give him whatever contract he wants in order to keep him around for however many years he wants. The longer the better, but that's ultimately McDavid's decision. I don't necessarily think he wants to hold up the rest of the team and those contract negotiations, but that is what will happen with Ekholm and company to allocate as much resources to the main contract as possible.

Upon joining the Oilers, Ekholm was an immediate huge impact, especially for a young Evan Bouchard who instantly found his game and the strong defensive play by Ekholm not only rubbed off on him, but freed Bouchard up to become this major offensive threat. In just over two seasons with the Oilers, Ekholm has scored 24 goals and 92 points in 165 games. The veteran also had a 12th place Norris Trophy finish in 2023-24, has blocked 216 shots, made 207 hits, is a +83, averaged 21:28 of ice time per game, and plays in all situations including on the top pairing.

Ekholm isn't the only important defenseman who will become a UFA after next season and needs to be kept around. There is also Jake Walman and Brett Kulak. While it's much more likely Kulak leaves, I think there's a good chance that Ekholm and Walman seemingly swap AAVs and both are kept with the team. Ekholm knows he's older and still has a role to play, but his role will be decreasing. He isn't going to get over $5 million AAV and I think around $3.4 million AAV, Walman's current contract, is fair. Walman is younger and is a very good d-man, so he will get around $6 million if the Oilers want to keep him.

Contracts will most definitely start to be signed after McDavid is taken care of. For the Oilers, the hope is that it is as soon as possible.