Over the past dozen years or so, any signing of an unrestricted free agent or pending UFA by the Edmonton Oilers has been met with trepidation by fans. Edmonton management has had an uncanny knack for identifying aging veterans just past the tipping point and immediately signing them to long-term deals. Some of the most devastating contracts in cap-era history have landed in Edmonton since the summer of 2016.

So when the club announced a three-year deal with a $4 million cap hit for veteran Mattias Ekholm, the response from fans was notable. Fans liked the deal immediately.

The contract takes him to 39, and there’s, of course, a full no-movement clause. However, Ekholm is a trusted veteran who plays at the top of the defence depth chart, and his performance for the Oilers over four seasons warranted the contract. In fact, it’s a bargain.

Ekholm is an outstanding defenceman with a complete range of skills.

The five-on-five numbers

Ekholm performs well in all areas, and in 2025-26, at 35, he had the highest expected goal share among Oilers defencemen while playing in all 82 regular-season games:

All numbers five-on-five, via Natural Stat Trick

Ekholm has the calm feet of a veteran, the size and rugged demeanour to hold his own against all comers, and the speed to close a gap quickly. Despite his age, NHL Edge clocked him in the 72nd percentile during the regular season, and his ability to read the play is top drawer. He makes the Oilers better.

The ability to make a crisp outlet pass that hits the tape of a teammate’s stick on the fly is another strength. That’s a vital part of the game, but an area of weakness for the Oilers last season. The veteran is money at making a pass.

While playing at that high level, he also scored 1.39 points per 60, second on the team among defencemen (Evan Bouchard was at 1.88) and No. 18 among NHL defencemen in 2025-26. His patented move is a high, hard shot aimed at the top of the net, often delivered while driving down from the point in anticipation of a pass. It’s a highly effective wrinkle in the Oilers offence.

One area of his game that might surprise some is his effectiveness while playing away from captain Connor McDavid. Here’s the same chart as above, with numbers away from the league’s current Ted Lindsay Award winner:

All numbers five-on-five, via Natural Stat Trick

The numbers remain exceptional for Ekholm, who plays against tough competition and delivers. According to Puck IQ, he was 10 percent more effective relative to his fellow Oilers defencemen against elite competition. Ekholm helped outscore elite competition at a 60 percent rate. That’s championship-level performance.

Special teams

Ekholm is not a feature player when Edmonton is on the power play, but is a productive contributor. His 4.3 points per 60 trailed only Bouchard (6.64) in 2025-26. With the Oilers looking for more expert outlet passers on the blue line, the team may fade that portion of his workload. He was a staple on the penalty kill and posted respectable numbers in 2025-26.

The Oilers will no doubt tweak the defensive structure (outlet passing, penalty-killing execution), but Ekholm will be a big part of the solution no matter who is coaching.

Concerns

Ekholm’s performance for the Oilers has been exemplary since he arrived from the Nashville Predators. Age is a concern; time is undefeated, even for impact players. Ekholm has been able to maintain a high level during the regular season, but has been slowed by injury in the playoffs. Proof is offered via NHL Edge and shows just how much impact a long season can have:

YearRegular SeasonPlayoffs

2023-24

35.3 kmh

33.3 kmh

2024-25

34.7 kmh

32.3 kmh

2025-26

35.7 kmh

33.1 kmh

All numbers via NHL Edge

There are reasons for the gap, and they include overwork, lack of depth and a coaching staff at times under the gun during Ekholm’s time with the team.

If the Oilers can find a way to get Ekholm some rest during the season, either with reduced ice time per game or strategically timed days off, the coaching staff should have a more effective Ekholm when the playoffs arrive. It’s one of the reasons the club needs to have a full 23-man roster all season, giving veterans a chance to rotate out of the lineup from time to time.

Good fortune

In a way, the club is lucky Ekholm has aged so well. His logical replacement, Philip Broberg, was lost to an offer sheet and has blossomed with the St. Louis Blues. His sustained level of excellence, along with the signing of Jake Walman, allows management to contemplate moving on from veteran Darnell Nurse this summer.

Bottom line 

Ekholm is an absolute bargain for the Oilers. His contract should have value through the end, and if injury takes him out of the lineup, it was still a worthwhile bet. Another veteran, Connor Murphy, has shown similar interest in signing with the Oilers, and a bookend, short-term deal for reasonable dollars would give the Oilers two value deals in important roster spots.

His role on the top pairing isn’t in doubt, although the team may want to split up the top tandem (Ekholm-Bouchard) in the interests of spreading roster wealth. If general manager Stan Bowman picks up a mid-level right-handed defenceman for the second pairing, Ekholm may be the best choice to check down to that duo and offer veteran support. Serving in a mentor role would seem to be something Ekholm would be well-suited to perform.

Getting regular-season Ekholm for an entire playoff run should be a priority for Oilers management. A game in the press box every couple of weeks gets him to 70 games and should mean a fresher Ekholm for the postseason.