Edmonton Oilers extend Matthias Ekholm to three-year contract extension – The Hockey Writer – NHL News
The floodgates have opened after Connor McDavid signed a two-year contract with the Edmonton Oilers. After signing guard Jake Walman to a seven-year contract extension, guard Mattias Ekholm signed a three-year contract on October 8, prior to the team’s season opener. The 35-year-old will earn $4 million annually starting in 2026-27.
yes! đź’Ş
this #oiler Re-signed defender Mattias Ekholm to a three-year contract with an annual salary of $4 million. pic.twitter.com/pl0NzodiFB
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) October 8, 2025
Despite missing last season due to injury, Ekholm remained a key member of the Oilers’ blueline. Since arriving in Oil Country at the 2022-23 trade deadline, he has appeared in 165 games, posting 92 points and a +83 rating. He and top pairing partner Evan Bouchard form a stellar duo, outscoring teams 149-92 (61.83% goal share) over the past three regular-season 5-on-5 games, according to Natural Stat Trick.
Ekholm may start to decline as he approaches 40, but the Oilers would be foolish to let him test the open market. A perfect two-way addition to Edmonton’s front four, it’s a good thing for their championship hopes that he will remain under team control through the 2028-29 season.
