The news that Mattias Ekholm may be able to come back at some point in the Western Conference final brings back memories of when he tried to come back late in this season. When he tried to come back, he played around 3 minutes and hasn't played since. This is my concern this time around again. I understand that he may want to come back to help his team, but does his team need help?
The Edmonton Oilers' defense right now is proving that it can shut down good teams without Ekholm in the lineup. In the past 2 games, the Oilers have not let in a single goal against. It's not like those last two games were against weak teams either, they were against the Pacific Division winning Golden Knights. So, my question is, why should the Oilers even think about rushing Mattias back into the lineup?
I get that when Ekholm is at the top of his game, he is one of, if not the best, defenseman on this team, but there is no chance that he will be at the top of his game when he comes back. That means you have to look at it like this, is a 75% healthy Ekholm better than a 100% Stetcher or Emberson? In my opinion, I do not think he is.
If the Oilers are down in the series and need some sort of moral boost, then sure, bring in Elkolm to give the team a bump. If this team continues to play good and is winning games, then I see no need to bring him into this lineup if not fully healthy. If he can keep healing and can come back in the Stanley Cup Finals if the Oilers need it, that will be a much better scenario for him to come back.
Now, make note that I have no idea how Mattias Ekholm is actually doing, as far as I know, he could be 100% right now and just be waiting for a chance to get in, but I doubt that, or he would be playing. There is no doubt that a healthy Ekholm will make this team better, but what I don't want the Oilers to do is put him in the lineup just for the sake of having him in the lineup. The Oilers will need Ekholm if they continue to move forward, and rushing him back just to have him reinjure himself would be the worst-case scenario.