Oilers follow McDavid extension with Ekholm deal

Days aft signing superstar Connor McDavid to a two-year extension, the Edmonton Oilers person locked up 1 of the astir important title players astir him successful defenseman Mattias Ekholm.

Ekholm, 35, signed a three-year, $12 cardinal hold Wednesday that starts successful the 2026-27 season. Ekholm is successful the last play of the four-year declaration signed with the Nashville Predators successful 2021 that carries a $6 cardinal mean yearly value. He would person been an unrestricted escaped cause adjacent summer.

Entering his 15th NHL season, Ekholm had 33 points (9 goals, 24 assists) successful 65 games past play for the Oilers. His 22:11 successful mean crystal clip was 3rd connected the team. One of Edmonton's superior punishment killers, Ekholm besides sees clip connected the powerfulness play.

The Swedish defenseman's comportment and facial hairsbreadth besides inspired a radical of Edmonton fans called "The Dancing Ekholms," who be games successful horned helmets, kilts and warfare overgarment to grant their "Viking Warrior."

Ekholm's signing comes 2 days aft McDavid agreed to a two-year declaration hold with a $12.5 cardinal AAV, a steep hometown discount that gives wide manager Stan Bowman headdress flexibility to physique a victor astir the prima center.

Bowman instantly went to work, signing Ekholm and defenseman Jake Walman (7 years, $49 million) to declaration extensions. The Oilers present person 9 players signed done the extremity of McDavid's woody successful 2028.

Edmonton is coming disconnected its 2nd consecutive decision to the Florida Panthers successful the Stanley Cup Final. The Oilers person played successful the postseason successful six consecutive seasons.