The Edmonton Oilers Have Acquired Mattias Ekholm

The Edmonton Oilers have made a big splash just before the deadline. The Edmonton Oilers have acquired Mattias Ekholm and a 6th-rounder from the Nashville Predators in exchange for Tyson Barrie, Reid Schaefer, a first-rounder and a 4th-rounder.

This trade follows up the trading away of Puljujarvi this morning. The cap shed in that move made it able to make this trade. This trade makes the defence of the Edmonton Oilers better. Ekholm has been a staple on the back end since he entered the league.

I think this is a solid addition for the Oilers. Undoubtedly, the Edmonton Oilers needed an additional top 4 dman and this trade solves this problem. It was a pretty high price, but you get what you pay for.

What Do The Edmonton Oilers Pairings Look Like Now?

The main issue in this trade is the fact that the Edmonton Oilers gave up a right-handed defenceman in Tyson Barrie for a left-handed defenceman in Ekholm. This may cause some issues when putting pairings together. I am going to assume that the Edmonton Oilers will keep everything the same, with a minor trade.

Prior To Trade

Nurse- Ceci

Kulak- Barrie

Broberg- Bouchard

Desharnais

Post Trade

Nurse- Ceci

Ekholm- Bouchard

Kulak- Desharnais

Broberg

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There is a bit of change at the bottom. Instead of having an extra right-side defenseman they now have an extra left-side defenseman. I also think they will try and duplicate the Keith/Bouchard pairing from last year, with Ekholm/Bouchard. Hopefully, Ekholm can calm down the play of Bouchard.

Another thing that will now happen is I assume that Bouchard will now run the first unit powerplay since Barrie is gone. He was already splitting duties with Barrie, but now he will be the main man. I don’t expect much of a drop if any.

I don’t know if there are any more moves that Ken Holland plan to make, but if there aren’t at least this is a big enough of a move to hopefully improve this team.