Ekholm's Next Contract Could Land Higher Than Expected

The Edmonton Oilers like their defense and they have generally been good for the team the last number of seasons. With the exception of Darnell Nurse, who is overpaid, Mattias Ekholm, Jake Walman, Brett Kulak, and more have been good additions that have stuck around.

The defense is less so in place for the near future as Evan Bouchard and Nurse are the only ones signed past next season. It was already reported that the Oilers were focusing more on Walman after the team signed Vasily Podkolzin, but Ekholm is also on the last year of his deal.

The expectation based on age and trending performances is that Walman would get money similar to Ekholm's current deal (around $6 million AAV) while Ekholm would then drop to an AAV close to Walman's current deal ($3.4 million AAV) for a shorter term. That may not exactly be the case.

Jason Gregor said that "I think (Ekholm) will get a two year deal done, maybe $4.5 million (AAV), something like that." That doesn't play great for the Oilers in terms of saving some money and spreading it around even though the Oilers are likely going to lose Kulak and go younger in that role. The two years is fine, but $1 million here and there can really make a difference, especially when upgrading in the middle of the season and holding certain players on the roster with and without injuries.

Ekholm is 35 years old, so I think two years is a safe term. With the cap going up and Ekholm now expected to take $1.5 million AAV less on his next deal according to Gregor, that still isn't bad considering his ice time went up by over one minute last season from his first with the Oilers when he finished 12th in Norris trophy voting. Along with Ekholm and Walman, who the Oilers are looking to keep around, Connor McDavid is the most important piece and still has to sign. I think that'll come after everyone else has done so.