Mattias Ekholm | The Most Underrated Defenseman in Hockey | Welcome to Edmonton

Highlights from Mattias Ekholm's sensational first 10 games as a member of the Edmonton Oilers.
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It's rare when a trade deadline acquisition seemingly remakes a team, but Edmonton Oilers G.M. Ken Holland did just that late in February when he sent Tyson Barrie and a 1st Round pick to Nashville in exchange for Swedish rearguard, Mattias Ekholm.
Ekholm is a strong, hard-hitting, two-way defenseman who munches hard minutes and penalty kills like they're lingonberries. He's no slouch on offense either, as with every year that passed in Nashville, his offensive style and technique began to mirror more and more that of star blueliner, Roman Josi.
In his short time in Edmonton, he's developed nascent chemistry with the burgeoning Evan Bouchard, given the team a boost of confidence, and delivered fellow defenseman Darnell Nurse a bit of a rest after years of overwork. With Ekholm on the team for the next three seasons (and likely more), suddenly the Oilers' window-to-win looks a whole lot clearer.

[@Shawn-st2lx]

I'm so glad Oilers picked up Ekholm over Karlsson. Oilers needed a D that could shut things down and move the puck, this is exactly what Ekholm does.

[@kyleespersen8878]

Yeah ekholm has already exceeded my already high expectations. He's looking like a top 5 d man in the nhl

[@TheClumsyChicken]

Yeah Oilers don’t need more offence, Ekholm was a big missing piece to doing well in the playoffs

[@Peksisarvinen]

Exactly what I've been saying. I was about to lose my mind when they started talking about Karlsson coming over, because it would've been a horrible, horrible mistake. When they got Ekholm, I was over the moon, because he was the EXACT right guy to get: a guy who is great in all areas of the game, and plays a rock solid type of hockey that he can keep up way beyond this year. Plus he is on a very reasonable contract, considering how good he is.

[@highmedic2351]

Erik Karlsson is almost at 100 points, but Ekholm has around 30. I would rather take the guy that has triple the amount of points, especially when they also happen to be putting such great numbers on one of the worst teams this year.

[@TheClumsyChicken]

@@highmedic2351 Oilers have 3 players with over 100 points (one of them with over 150) they really don’t need more offence. They need a reliable defensemen who’s good in all areas and can shut people down.

[@Yappit]

As a Preds fan I'm devastated but the Oilers can give him something the Preds couldn't: legitimate playoff hope.

[@drogontargaryen3428]

Worth every penny that we paid for him so far.... He's been incredible

[@dankelly5150]

He's been so stabilizing for the Oilers D it's been amazing !

[@tequila6306]

I could watch the subtle little plays Ekholm makes all day, they are so satisfying.

[@heatherm6105]

Me too! lol I’m always looking for him when he’s on the ice and am always surprised given his size how well he blends in the background and still plays his butt off!

[@Chimeratech8]

Best Oilers defenseman since Pronger during the 06 run. And I loved Klefbom when he was healthy.

[@johanstinson]

Klef was better, cmon now

[@whattha930]

@@johanstinson Huh? He wasn’t that good. We were just starting to see his potential when he got hurt.

[@BoschThermador]

pronger vibes for sure

[@tube1062]

A foreign player who's wife actually wanted to move to Edmonton. He's a keeper for sure...

[@jasonmccrank4981]

Dude is the finest defenseman to play in Edmonton since Chris Pronger. Absolutely zero hyperbole.

[@BoschThermador]

ye

[@heatherm6105]

I have absolutely been LOVING him in our team. He’s just such a humble, team player who has serious ability to protect our net. Nuff said, Ekholm, you’re rocking Edmonton!

[@sambabisky4742]

Mattias is a rock, that one move probably insured a third round series for the Oil. I am leaning toward the Oilers being in the finals. The subtraction of Barry and addition of Ekholm was huge, he is the type of player most folks don't notice. He is setting up goal 5 plays back.

[@withers91]

So true. And that's saying something, because I really liked Barrie. He was a great pp quarterback. But Bouchard has filled that role nicely, and now we have a legitimate solid first pair, and Nurse is benefitting as well playing slightly less minutes.

[@Jeremiah-ur5hb]

You can tell he's played with roman yosi

[@user-bx4by5ep3z]

I can't remember one player having so much impact for the Oilers, as a deadline pick up... Maybe since Petr Nedved? The Oilers D as a whole, is so much steadier... and that has spread to the forwards now as well. Great pick-up for us! Go Oilers!

[@oopopp]

Oilers paid a massive price for him... and they still Won the trade.

[@mrv6968]

I saw a very good hockey player doing exactly what he was taught as a defenceman. To always play the man not look at the dangling of the puck. I see a very fit man who knows angles and gets up and down very quickly. I saw a man who passes with precision and shoots with supreme accuracy. I also see a man who shows humility and genuine niceties as a human being in a very violent sport. This man might mean the difference for the Oilers to go all the way. Sometimes it just takes a bandaid to fix the problem and boy is Ekholm quite a bandaid.

[@mephiston001]

he was +6 the other night... impressive, good on Holland

[@Thathockeyplayer497]

I read that over the last 19 games, Ekholm is +25. Over a full season he is projected to be +108, the likes of which mankind has never seen before. Great pickup by the oilers.

[@AlyxiSistahTweaky25]

Bobby Orr was +124 over an actual full season (78 GP). Ekholm is +26 for the full season so far (77 GP). Larry Robinson was also +120 for a full season (77GP). Ekholm has slotted in nicely, and seems to be a perfect fit for what the Oilers needed....but pump the brakes on the all-time talk.

[@Thathockeyplayer497]

@@AlyxiSistahTweaky25 ok thank you for informing me of the stats, I didn’t look before I made the comment lol

[@mr_enigmatic]

That push/boost to Nuge tho. . .

[@HockeyTruffles]

We've seen it before, but not like this. Never like this.

[@briand6558]

Ekholm is so good. He's exactly what Edmonton needed. Oilers are scary now they have defense.

[@ShanahanHockey]

Had never heard of Ekholm before the trade. Deserves the Norris

[@ryandymond2195]

It could be because Ekholm played with Josi, a star defenceman, and when he was traded to Edmonton, who didn't have a star defenceman (until Ekholm arrived) he got more notice because of the trade.

[@fndmntl5341]

I mean he was one of the best stay at home guys in Nashville who have been a staple for their defensive play

[@leagueidiot3052]

Imagine Gallagher grit mixed with Letang talent... thats Ekholm.

[@fndmntl5341]

@@leagueidiot3052 I would say more lidstrom

[@fndmntl5341]

I think it's more 90s Detroit for the Oilers right now, more than 80s Oilers

[@kellyhryniuk1869]

He's been everything we asked for and more!! 👏

[@MichaelCorleone_]

Before Ekholm: 3.8 G/Per Game 3.34 GA/Per Game After Ekholm 4.53 G/Per Game 2.78 GA/Per Game Matthias Ekholm Leads the NHL in +/- at +25 since he was traded to Edmonton. McDavid who was struggling being positive has been #6 in +/- since the trade, Bouchard #13. Three Oilers in the top 15 for +/-. 32-21-8 before the trade, 70 Points / 122 Points Possible (59.0%). The Oilers are 16-2-1 since Matthias Ekholm joined. 33 Points / 38 Points Possible. 86.8%. This has brought them to 48-23-9, 105 Points / 160 Points, 65.6%. They mocked this trade for being awful, yet so far all it’s done is deliver.

[@969kurt]

Who mocked this trade? Never heard anyone ever say anything negative about this trade

[@barrykidd1977]

Craig Button was vocally anti-Ekholm

[@fndmntl5341]

Love this video, thanks for the arrows... I definitely miss a fair amount of his plays which are so important... Even though I watch every single game

[@dnice4145]

Guys a beast.

[@kellanmohan4132]

Best deadline addition since roloson probably will go down as the best ever In franchise history.

[@Reladan187]

Always liked him. Glad to see him liked in Edmonton

[@srixongolfer3706]

Thanks for the ⬇️ Genius!👑 As a swede🇸🇪, I can only agree with most of you!👍 Ekholm is a true Viking warrior!⚔️

[@HockeyTruffles]

Except he's that most rare type of Viking, rarely mentioned in the sagas, who goes out of his way to apologize when he accidently pillages the wrong village.

[@AlexTheOilersFan]

The Oilers are 16-2-1 since acquiring Mattias Ekholm. To put that into perspective, if Ekholm's first game with Edmonton is Game 1 of Round 1, Edmonton has won the Stanley Cup

[@bradbradford8576]

Thanks for the video! This is the first one I've seen that highlights the little things Eckholm does that people might not notice at full speed watching the game

[@jasonfougere3274]

Quickly becoming my favorite on this D core.

[@bradpittman9083]

Whoever made this video, THANK YOU. This video is sick af. Shows exactly what everyone needs to see period Now someone make a video like this of Nurse in the last 15 games.

[@forfuxakes6814]

The best Deadline acquisition this year by far… Nice job Holland

[@dolorfamily]

He's a force for Oilers.... We might get the cup this year.. Go Oilers🎉🎉🎉

[@TheSloopyJoe]

He is amazingly good!

[@cdlocalz7542]

some hero's don't wear capes

[@gregcassady5821]

Some don’t wear capes, but rock magnificent beards

[@hibbelton]

Seems like Ekholm has been underrated before this move. Glad he thrives and shows his potential!

[@LyonHall1]

well he was always overshadowed by more offensive defensemen ie Weber, Josi, Subban, Ellis.

[@theeobeastone5068]

Our Swedish Viking!

[@user-tz5jc7ik3x]

yup agreed. Holland made a genius trade for Ekholm. Oilers really needed this guy, remember what Pronger did for the Oilers, almost won them the cup single handedly

[@gged]

thats just half of what he did and the oilers d are picking up his good habbits like sticks down on the ice when the other team passes the puck i would like to see him on the number 1 pp he would have a career year

[@kyleschooley759]

I love that you chose to include that gene Principe joke in there

[@seph_f]

he has been flawless so far in Edmonton, what a player

[@grandcrowdadforde6127]

that dudes a keeper a score! Gd on ya OILRs!!

[@PlaidHiker]

thanks for the oilers content.

[@GoatPharmer]

What a beauty ❤❤

[@raymondfindlay8070]

exactly how i like a skill showcase video to be done. enjoy the sub

[@chessskits1208]

great vid. no dumb click bait just good content. Thanks

[@Slvrbuu]

Hopefully he's here for more than a year! Reminds me of how Pronger made us better.

[@colebevans8939]

He has 3 years remaining on his contract so cant go anywhere unless the Oil trade him.

[@Peksisarvinen]

As Cole said, he's got three years left beyond this season, which is a huge thing, since now Oilers have all their key pieces locked down for at least three years, Bouchard being the only one who should be getting a noticeable raise in salary after this season (which they should be able to negotiate and figure out pretty easily). Most of the top teams in the league will regress, due to ageing, likely retirements, expiring contracts that they can't afford to renew and so on. But Oilers are looking to be cup candidates for at least three years beyond this year.

[@bswhytock]

​@@colebevans8939 His wife is also excited to live in Edmonton. Unlike Pronger's wife.

[@Slvrbuu]

@@bswhytock :P That was what I was playing at. I really enjoy watching him play.

[@CowsR4me]

He's so fkn dreamy.

[@MultiCappie]

Although Reid Schaeffer is no doubt going to come back to haunt us, Ekholm really has transformed the team's defense. - Excellent D-man by himself - Bouchard is transformed somehow - Bouch/Ek taking the heat off Nurse/Ceci makes Nurse and Ceci look way better - Kulak is playing at the level he can handle now (and then Desharnais just pops in outta nowhere...)

[@georgejohnson3654]

Adam Larsson is making a helluva case for being the #2 most underrated defenseman in the league.

[@adambouchard9095]

Wow 😮!

[@the_hero7801]

Hes become my favourite besides the top 4 forwards C.M. , L.D. , RNH , and ZH

[@HockeyTruffles]

From my perspective he's been the best defenseman in the league for the last two months.

[@KyprosEc]

This is exactly what the oilers needed...a guy to settle them down on the back end qhile providing physicality amd some offense

[@tylerstephenson8886]

This guy reminds me of Chris Pronger, just huge and physical and always making the smart moves. LOVE IT

[@HarrisonHollers]

Hockey Truffles, best hockey breakdowns out here! Ill say it again, helped Foxy win the Norris! (Yes there could be reasonable disputes about this but the story is nice in my own mind!) You capture a complete picture of how a guy contributes all over the ice. Some highlight clips are just goals or the pass on an assist. Hockey is so much more than that! Keep up the great work! Looking forward to this year’s breakdowns. I think my top choice aside from an obvious like McJesus is Hampus Lindholm. Seems like he is the only real addition; before the deadline, which made such a significance to a team winning as much as they have. Can’t Wait!

[@HockeyTruffles]

Yeah, I think I'm gonna with your version. 'Print the legend,' as they say.

[@HarrisonHollers]

@@HockeyTruffles “heroes get remembered, legends never die!” Odd offer but I’m a fan of your channel and the NHL - let me know if you need some “intern” video editing work.

[@Esotericism72]

I have a feeling about the Oilers this playoff season. Just saying.

[@MystiqWisdom]

This might be one of the most genius trades in the new modern era, depending on how far the Oilers go. But the numbers don't lie.

[@barrykidd1977]

You need to re edit and add the last minute against LA where he lost his stick.

[@jeniasmackay7931]

Sweet trade

[@jdsu2000]

Ekholm is definitely the #1 D over Nurse in terms of capability, experience and values.

[@robinkjellberg6796]

Ekholm is just a huge defensive hockey robot, programmed to perfection it seems…

[@colecassidy9940]

if u take request i would appreciate a mirro heiskenin complete highlight tape if u could, thanks!

[@HockeyTruffles]

He's on the docket for Series 4 if he stays healthy. Thanks for watching.

[@brianwalterhouse6053]

All that talk about Karlson and we got the better defence man in Ekholm

[@a-hawk4298]

I don’t know if you do requests but rangers Braden Schneider is one I would like, or even K’andre Miller

[@HockeyTruffles]

I certainly pay attention to requests. In fact, most of the upcoming Series 3 videos have been requested. Check out the trailer, I think you'll like what's coming.

[@a-hawk4298]

I didn’t even see the trailer, I will say, pretty excited

[@BobsUrAunt]

Special thanks to Jack Michaels for the comic relief closer.

[@HockeyTruffles]

The man is a legend in our time.

[@BobsUrAunt]

​@@HockeyTrufflesI do feel lucky to have such great commentary guys for our team. Makes a difference no doubt. Next stop playoffs...

[@dominicadams2390]

4:20

[@templarrising6299]

He is hungry like the rest of the team

[@henrikthorin]

Slap an A on his jesresy!

[@Lavvvs]

Hello hello. I'd like to post this video you've made on my newsletter, full credit to you obviously just wanted to speak to you about permission to do so. Thanks!

[@HockeyTruffles]

Go right ahead. Thanks for asking first.

[@danielbecker3651]

How to make every Oiler look like a defensive schmuck within 10 games by Mattias Ekholm.

[@user-wk7ie1ih7t]

Waau😮

[@majoriteten]

Lol that stick

[@uffestalhandske89]

Fuckin viking❤

[@travishanna4619]

Holland’s best trade

[@Anticipat0r]

he is so good top 2 d man look like the canucks defenmen suck. do another video of myers or oel as contrast.

[@Anticipat0r]

why would nashville trade him when they were n still are in hunt for playoff spot. the oilers were screwd and nashville just helps them for no reason.

[@barrykidd1977]

Nashville was selling at the deadline and needed to move large contracts. Ek was 32 and a rebuild was beginning. Now, the Nashville Gallup’s turned out to be pretty good, and they didn’t tank.

[@danholtby1635]

Deadmonton is a one dimensional team!! They won't make it past the second round if they even make it that far!! Mcbaby can't carry the whole team again.