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Greg WyshynskiOct 8, 2025, 10:39 AM ET<\/p>\n
Close<\/a>Greg Wyshynski is ESPN’s senior NHL writer.<\/p>\n Days after signing superstar Connor McDavid<\/a> to a two-year extension, the Edmonton Oilers<\/a> have locked up one of the most important championship players around him in defenseman Mattias Ekholm<\/a>.<\/p>\n Ekholm, 35, signed a three-year, $12 million extension Wednesday that starts in the 2026-27 season. Ekholm is in the final season of the four-year contract signed with the Nashville Predators<\/a> in 2021 that carries a $6 million average annual value. He would have been an unrestricted free agent next summer.<\/p>\n Entering his 15th NHL season, Ekholm had 33 points (9 goals, 24 assists) in 65 games last season for the Oilers. His 22:11 in average ice time was third on the team. One of Edmonton’s primary penalty killers, Ekholm also sees time on the power play.<\/p>\n Editor’s Picks<\/p>\n 2 Related<\/p>\n The Swedish defenseman’s comportment and facial hair also inspired a group of Edmonton fans called “The Dancing Ekholms,” who attend games in horned helmets, kilts and war paint to honor their “Viking Warrior.”<\/p>\n Ekholm’s signing comes two days after McDavid agreed to a two-year contract extension with a $12.5 million AAV, a steep hometown discount that gives general manager Stan Bowman cap flexibility to build a winner around the star center.<\/p>\n Bowman immediately went to work, signing Ekholm and defenseman Jake Walman<\/a> (7 years, $49 million) to contract extensions. The Oilers now have nine players signed through the end of McDavid’s deal in 2028.<\/p>\n