Ekholm’s Trade Impact: How the Star Defenseman Ruined the Market for Other Teams

The Edmonton Oilers suffered a pair of disappointing losses last weekend in California, and it was painful for everyone who spent the time watching them. But on the last night of 2024, the boys were looking to get back in the win column against the visiting Utah Hockey Club. And much to the delight of the hometown faithful, the Oilers not only won the game, but the boys walked right through Utah en route to a lopsided 4-1 finish.

MATTIAS EKHOLM, BIG VIKING DADDY

I love Mattias Ekholm so much it’s almost embarrassing. When Ken Holland traded for him, I knew that the Oilers had landed a good one, but I didn’t expect him to shine the way he has since he’s gotten here. Not only does he give the Oilers nearly 23 hard minutes per night, but he also chips in offensively more than I would have expected. So far this season, Ekholm has six goals and 17 points through the first 37 games, including three goals and six points in his last eight games.

From my side of this laptop screen, that trade turned out so good for the Oilers that it basically ruined all subsequent trades for me since. Unless the Edmonton Oilers are getting back a stud in the deal, I don’t know that I can be happy with anything less. Mattias Ekholm sets the bar for what I believe every GM in Edmonton should be shooting for, regardless of the position they’re looking to fill. On Tuesday against Utah, Ekholm played 23:19 in TOI, picked up a goal and an assist, had two shots on goal, and finished with a +3 rating. He is the bar on trade targets, people.

CONNOR BROWN, COME ON DOWN

I love the Connor Brown story this season. After battling through a tough year in 2023-24, Brown signed a one-year low-money deal to stay in Edmonton, and it’s been an excellent fit for both the player and the team. The guy has already beaten his totals in both goals and assists from last year despite playing only half the games, and it’s the kind of production we expected to have from him this whole time. The major difference this season is that he’s following through on his end of the bargain offensively, and none of us were expecting it to happen this much.

If I told you that Connor Brown has 10 points (3G, 7A) in his last nine games, would you believe me? You should, because it’s true. And since he’s playing so well, Brown got bumped up to the first line with Connor McDavid for the game, and that only happens if Kris Knoblauch thinks you deserve it. I thought something must have happened when I first saw him up there in Ryan. Nugent-Hopkins’ spot, but it’s hard to argue that he hasn’t been playing his way into more minutes. It’s also hard to argue the two assists he added to the pile while playing only 14:05 in TOI. Who knows how long this Brownie heater lasts, but I’m loving every minute of it while it’s happening.

ROGERS PLACE WAS FUN TONIGHT

While I will admit that Rogers Place was a little bit quiet early in the game, the energy in the building really kicked up a few notches after the Oilers got goals from Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Troy Stecher in the span of only 20 seconds early in the second period. The place was alive from that moment on, and it was a lot of fun to soak up the atmosphere in the crowd.

It’s no secret that wins are always more fun than losses, but toss in the fact that it was New Year’s Eve, and a lot of people didn’t have to work in the morning, and you had the recipe for a great time. By the time the third period rolled around, there were more than a few of us in our cups, and that spawned some of the best (read: worst) jumbotron dancing that I’ve seen in a while. There’s nothing better than the Oilers winning and you’ve got the green light to party because that’s what we got last night at Rogers Place. It was a lot of fun to be in there, but I’m sure there are a few minds that are hurting this morning.

OTHER THINGS WORTH MENTIONING…

1. He may not have been as busy as his counterpart, but Stuart Skinner was still rock solid between the pipes. He made some big blocker saves on more than one occasion that could have easily pulled the Coyotes Utah back into the game. No matter the situation, Stu was there to smooth things out, resulting in 26 saves and a .963 save percentage. That’s a nice response game by Skinner after the .862 save percentage he put down against Los Angeles.

2. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins was demoted to the third line with Mattias Janmark and Kasperi Kapanen to start the game, and I’d be lying if I said that trio didn’t stink. They were awful. The good news was that it didn’t take Kris Knoblauch long to put RNH right back beside Connor McDavid, and it didn’t take long to capitalize on the bet. RNH was the business end of a beautiful passing play that saw all three forwards touch the puck before No. 93 ended with a backdoor tap-in.

3. Troy Stecher had a tough weekend in California with some sloppy choices and ill-timed penalties, but you love to see him respond with another seeing-eye wrister that finds its way into the back of the net even though it had no business getting there. I love it.

4. For the last time in 2024, I am thrilled to inform you that the Oilers won 54.3% of the faceoffs. I figured you wouldn’t be able to make it through the rest of the day without knowing that.

5. I am no longer the Oilers jinx. After the team lost the last six games I attended in person, it was nice to see them get back in the win column because I was starting to get a complex about whether or not I should go anymore.

6. Happy New Year, everybody! I hope you had a great night with your friends and/or family.