NHL trade deadline: Oilers acquiring Mattias Ekholm from Predators

The Edmonton Oilers finally made their first major move of the NHL trade deadline and general manager Ken Holland addressed a big need in the process.

The Oilers are acquiring defenseman Mattias Ekholm and a sixth-round draft pick from the Nashville Predators. In return, the Predators will be getting defenseman Tyson Barrie, forward prospect Reid Schaefer, the Oilers’ 2023 first-round pick and a 2024 fourth-round selection.

Ekholm, 32, has been a mainstay on the Preds’ blue line for the last decade and can provide exactly what the Oilers need right now: some security and stability on defense. Ekholm has five goals and 13 assists through 57 games in 2022-23.

While the Swedish veteran won’t blow off any socks with his offensive ability, he has consistently been one of the better two-way blueliners in the league and doesn’t appear to be stopping anytime soon. Edmonton is getting some financial certainty with this trade, as Ekholm is under contract through the 2025-26 season with a cap hit of $6.25 million.