Ekholm’s Comeback & Oilers’ Future

Mattias Ekholm’s return to the Oilers in 2023 turned into a blue-line revolution, instantly pairing with Evan Bouchard to fuel an 18-2-1 start and earn second in NHL plus-minus. A groin injury derailed his playoff form last year, but he rebounded explosively this season — skating sharper, driving play, and even scoring his first career hat trick. Healthy for all 82 games and representing Sweden internationally, Ekholm’s durability shines, even as his contract drops to $4M and his age (36) raises questions about longevity and whether young players like Jake Walman are ready to step up. Support the show:Get a discount at https://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/2c0cd8fdf73f01d6