Oilers sign Mattias Ekholm to 3-year, $12M extension

Days after signing the superstar connor mcdavid For a two-year extension, edmonton oilers The defenseman has shut down one of the most important championship players around mattias ekholm,

Ekholm, 35, signed a three-year, $12 million extension on Wednesday that starts in the 2026-27 season. Is in the final season of a four-year contract signed with Ekholm nashville hunters Which is an average annual value of $6 million in 2021. He will be an unrestricted free agent next summer.

Entering his 15th NHL season, Ekholm had 33 points (9 goals, 24 assists) in 65 games for the Oilers last season. His 22:11 in average ice time ranked third on the team. One of Edmonton’s primary penalty killers, Ekholm also sees time on the power play.

The Swedish defenceman’s comportment and facial hair inspired a group of Edmonton fans dubbed “The Dancing Ekholms”, who attend games in horned helmets, kilts and war paint to honor their “Viking Warrior”.

Ekholm’s signing comes two days after McDavid agreed to a two-year contract extension with a $12.5 million AAV, a steep hometown discount that gives general manager Stan Bowman the cap flexibility to build a winner around the star center.

Bowman immediately went to work, signing Ekholm and defenseman jake wallman (7 years, $49 million) to contract extension. The Oilers now have nine players signed through the end of McDavid’s deal in 2028.

Edmonton is coming off its second straight loss Florida Panthers In the Stanley Cup Finals. The Oilers have played in the postseason in six straight seasons.