Oilers’ Mattias Ekholm set to play 900th NHL game

When the Oilers hit the ice tonight against the Colorado Avalanche, veteran defenceman Mattias Ekholm will hit another impressive milestone in what has been a rock-solid NHL career. The 34-year-old blue liner will suit up for his 900th career regular-season game, a mark that reflects not just longevity but the kind of consistency and dependability needed to play for this long.

Originally drafted by the Nashville Predators in the fourth round (102nd overall) of the 2009 NHL Draft, Ekholm spent over a decade in Nashville before being acquired by the Oilers in 2023. Since landing in Edmonton in the Tyson Barrie trade, he’s been a mountain on the blue line and a leader both on and off the ice. Over his 15 NHL seasons, Ekholm has amassed 366 points (87 goals, 279 assists), 342 PIMs, and owns a career +/- rating of +181, all while averaging more than 21 minutes of TOI per night.

Through 15 games this season, Ekholm has one goal and five assists for six points, while averaging just over 20 minutes per game. While the start of the year hasn’t been the smoothest for him at times, Ekholm continues to play top-pairing minutes for Edmonton and remains one of the team’s most trusted defenders in all situations. If anyone on the Oilers’ back end can settle their own game down as the season progresses, Ekholm seems like a pretty solid bet.

Over the years, Ekholm has proven to be a model of consistency. He has posted seven 30-point seasons, appeared in 119 career playoff games, and played a major role in Nashville’s run to the 2017 Stanley Cup Final and obviously the two Cup runs here. When he’s at his best, his ability to handle tough matchups, move the puck efficiently, and bring calm to the game has made him arguably the Oilers’ best d-man since Pronger. It’s gotta be pretty close, right?

Back in early October, Ekholm signed a three-year contract extension worth $4 million per season, keeping him with the Oilers through 2029. From a fourth-round pick back in 2009 to a respected veteran approaching 1000 games, Mattias Ekholm has built an outstanding career by playing smart, steady defence and doing it consistently over the long haul. Tonight, he hits another milestone that reminds everyone why he’s earned so much respect across the league.