Oilers sign Mattias Ekholm to three-year extension

The Edmonton Oilers announced via their social channels Wednesday morning that the team has signed defenceman Mattias Ekholm to a three-year contract extension that carries an average annual value of $4 million.

Ekholm, 35, is entering his third full season in Edmonton — and the final year of the four-year deal he signed with the Preds — after being acquired from the Nashville Predators at the 2023 trade deadline in exchange for Tyson Barrie and Reid Schaefer+. Since landing in our fair city, Ekholm has provided the Oilers with exactly what they needed — stability on the blue line, leadership in the room, and consistent play in all situations. They needed a minute muncher, and that’s Mattias Ekholm.

Despite battling injuries during the 2024–25 campaign that limited his effectiveness in the playoffs, Ekholm appeared in 65 games, registering nine goals and 24 assists for 33 points along with a +11 rating. It was the first time in his tenure with us that Ekholm wasn’t a rock on the back end, and it was weird to watch him fight it that much. So when we heard that Ekholm wanted to extend in Edmonton, the question wasn’t about whether we wanted him, but rather how much term the team would give a guy who is still a very important piece — but one who is getting older.

Ekholm’s new deal will carry him through his age-39 season, which tells me the team not only thinks he’s part of the short-term solution but also wanted to acknowledge the security he was craving for his family by giving him three years. Both sides wanted each other, and you can tell by the details in the announcement. Ekholm took roughly 30 percent less than his last contract to fit within the cap model Stan Bowman has available, and the team probably gave him a year more than they initially planned. That’s compromise, my friends.

At 6’5” and 225 pounds, Ekholm has become a cornerstone presence on Edmonton’s back end, and I’m happy this extension will keep Big Viking Daddy patrolling the blue line for years to come. He’s the kind of veteran who makes everyone around him better, and locking him in for three more years provides the Oilers with continuity, leadership, and a proven defender who’s embraced the city and the organization since day one. Now the hope is that he was able to get healthy over the summer and get back to being the guy who we can depend on regardless of when or where he is on the ice.

Over his 12-year career, the Borlänge, Sweden native has suited up in 884 NHL games, recording 86 goals and 274 assists for 360 points and an impressive +187 rating.