Toggle sidebar

Player Discussion Mattias Ekholm

Stumped this d-man as an optimal veteran player who would transform this team's ability to defend with his length and hard approach on opposing players in high quality scoring areas. Believed highly that his veteran poise and high processing ability would deliver a stabilizing effect to the chaos own zone play of this team. And that his leadership ability and maturity would be a very important intangible. With terminator durability and versatility to defend but undervalued for his offensive game. Had zero concern about his age or contract. A perfect fit

Though I saw him as a 1RD priority need to stabilize Nurse and top pairing. Did not see him completely transforming Bouchard's challenging development season instilling mentorship, trust and consistency to pull the best out of this young, pedigree defender. A phenomenal trade that took some nuts to send out this team's top producing PP defender (and top prospect).

Full props to Holland for stepping up to add a beast, elite defender who has been a difference maker in all facets and more to improve this team.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Oilhawks, McDoused, Black Gold Extractor and 3 others
Fourier said:
Not surprised. I grew up in the 60's and 70's. It was a very different time back then.
Click to expand...
I also grew up in the 60's & 70's in small town Alberta & never practiced on an outdoor rink & only played a handful of organized games on an outdoor rink. Only 1 town we had in all our leagues had an outdoor rink as a primary & there some really small towns, less than 1000 population was the norm. Some of these places may have been natural ice, I don't remember that although I know ours was artificial.

1 of our weekly practices after we hit bantam(U-15) was before school though.
 
That awkward moment when your gf sees you drawing a heart and thinks it's going to be her name in the banner...
PXL_20230402_193248007.jpg
 
  • Like
  • Haha
Reactions: ehhteen, GreeningOil, T-Funk and 14 others
guymez said:
Interesting that Ekholms career shooting % is 5.4%.

Since being with the Oilers its 10.7%.
Click to expand...
Have to think being on a team with so many other threats on the ice every time he is will help elevate his shooting % a bit, but double his average is very likely to drop.

That said, even if he didn’t have a single goal, his impact would still be significantly higher than I expected honestly. He’s just so good at stabilizing everything on the ice, and moving the puck up the ice. He and Bouchard are a pleasure to watch, he really seems to be the perfect Dman to make up for Bouchards deficiencies and let him focus a bit more on offence.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Oilhawks, TB12 and ujju2
Behind Enemy Lines said:
Stumped this d-man as an optimal veteran player who would transform this team's ability to defend with his length and hard approach on opposing players in high quality scoring areas. Believed highly that his veteran poise and high processing ability would deliver a stabilizing effect to the chaos own zone play of this team. And that his leadership ability and maturity would be a very important intangible. With terminator durability and versatility to defend but undervalued for his offensive game. Had zero concern about his age or contract. A perfect fit

Though I saw him as a 1RD priority need to stabilize Nurse and top pairing. Did not see him completely transforming Bouchard's challenging development season instilling mentorship, trust and consistency to pull the best out of this young, pedigree defender. A phenomenal trade that took some nuts to send out this team's top producing PP defender (and top prospect).

Full props to Holland for stepping up to add a beast, elite defender who has been a difference maker in all facets and more to improve this team.
Click to expand...
You and I were discussing Ekholm long before there was talk of him even being available. Before Nashville extended him I had a little bit of hope that he might make it to UFA and we could be in on him, which we likely would of been because Holland has talked about how this player has been on his radar for a long time.

When his name started popping up as possibly being available I was so excited because I really felt that league wide he was one of the best options for this team for all the reasons you mentioned. Of the players rumoured to be available he was the clear cut best option even above the Chychruns and Karlssons because he brings a game that impacts the play of the guys around him as we’ve seen. He’s been a top end, steady veteran partner for Bouchard. He’s taken some of the tough minutes off Nurse and he’ll be an excellent role model and teacher for our young Swede blue liner who’s got the attributes to become an Ekholm clone.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Oilhawks, Behind Enemy Lines and Kolja
3IR said:
Have to think being on a team with so many other threats on the ice every time he is will help elevate his shooting % a bit, but double his average is very likely to drop.

That said, even if he didn’t have a single goal, his impact would still be significantly higher than I expected honestly. He’s just so good at stabilizing everything on the ice, and moving the puck up the ice. He and Bouchard are a pleasure to watch, he really seems to be the perfect Dman to make up for Bouchards deficiencies and let him focus a bit more on offence.
Click to expand...
Oh for sure. Ekholm is not going to sustain the goal scoring but he doesnt need to.
That wasnt why the team traded for him.

I just thought it was interesting. He is clearly a rejuvenated player offensively right now.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Oilhawks, McDoused, TB12 and 5 others
guymez said:
Oh for sure. Ekholm is not going to sustain the goal scoring but he doesnt need to.
That wasnt why the team traded for him.

I just thought it was interesting. He is clearly a rejuvenated player offensively right now.
Click to expand...
In the after hours clip he was saying how Connor and Drai get double teamed so you just have to get open. He's never had the luxury of playing with these caliber of players and is loving it and making the most of it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Oilhawks, bone, iCanada and 4 others
Bryanbryoil said:
In the after hours clip he was saying how Connor and Drai get double teamed so you just have to get open. He's never had the luxury of playing with these caliber of players and is loving it and making the most of it.
Click to expand...

McDavid's goal against Anaheim was the perfect example; created an outlet several time, ultimately drives the net and does his best Ryan Smith impression just before the puck goes in.

Nutty.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Oilhawks and Leonardlizard
Bryanbryoil said:
There's a ban of foreigners buying land in Canada or just Alberta?
Click to expand...
It's a federal law, but there have been similar laws on the provincial level for some years now in BC if I remember correctly. And just to be clear, the ban doesn't apply to foreign citizens who are permanent residents of Canada (our equivalent of what you guys call having a "Green Card").

It's basically there to curb some of the speculative purchases by foreign investors, especially in high-priced urban centres like Vancouver and greater Toronto. For this reason, it also doesn't apply to rural property located outside of a CMA.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Oilhawks and Bryanbryoil
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Ad

Upcoming events

Ad

Top Bottom