It’s time for some more NHL rumours. Training camp is getting ready to start soon and that means general managers are trying to get deals done. Teams are going to be getting into shape for the start of the 2025-26 season. However, plenty is going on behind the scenes. We know there are plenty of big-time players that are due to get massive raises. However, a number of other important players are also looking to take care of their respective deals.
One team that has plenty on their plate is the Edmonton Oilers. This edition of NHL rumours deals with a defenceman that’s hoping to re-sign with the club.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Edmonton Oilers Defenceman Hoping to Get Contract Extension
Rumour: The Fourth Period offered an update on contract talks between the Oilers and veteran defender Mattias Ekholm, who spoke with the media recently. He added that he would love to sign a new deal that would keep him in Alberta.
Analysis: Oilers fans thoughts are mostly with how the Connor McDavid situation will sort itself out. However, there are still other important pieces of business that need attending to. General manager Stan Bowman is likely trying to figure out how to keep the team’s captain in the fold. However, he needs to chart the team’s course and who will be a part of that.
Ekholm came over via trade from the Nashville Predators and is on the last of a year of a four-year agreement worth $25 million that he signed with them. This currently works out to an average cap hit of $6 million per season.
The Fourth Period said that it’s unknown what type of deal the veteran will take. However, Ekholm understands that he’s not at the top of the pecking order. He realizes that getting McDavid’s deal done first is a higher priority.
There are also a number of other important players like Jake Walman, Stuart Skinner, Adam Henrique that also need deals. Much of those deals are up in the air and may have to wait until McDavid’s contract is done before Bowman can work on those.
What It Means
Despite these concerns about other players on the roster, Ekholm wants to get a deal done. He said he loves playing there and also would like to have things sorted out for his family’s sake. These seem to be reasonable requests.
The veteran has been an excellent addition to the roster since the trade from Nashville. He totaled a career-best 11 goals and 45 points in the 2023-24 season. The 35-year-old provided nine goals last season despite dealing with injuries.
We’ve seen him provide offence with both the Predators and Oilers, but his calling card has been him being a steady defender. He may be in the latter stages of his career, but he is an important piece of the Oilers’ back end.
Edmonton fans will be on edge with McDavid’s deal not being done as of yet. However, keeping Ekholm should be something Bowman looks into sooner rather than later.
Main photo by: Jim Rassol-Imagn Imges
The post NHL Rumours: Edmonton Oilers Defender Open to Extension appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.