Edmonton Oilers sign defenceman Ekholm to three-year, $12-million extension

By Canadian Press on October 8, 2025.

EDMONTON — The Edmonton Oilers have signed defenceman Mattias Ekholm to a three-year, US$12-million contract extension, the team announced Wednesday.

The deal comes two days after the team locked up defenceman Jake Walman for seven years and captain Connor McDavid for two seasons.

Ekholm, 35, recorded nine goals and 24 assists in 65 games last season and returned from a torn adductor muscle to post a goal and five assists in seven playoff games.

He averaged more than 22 minutes per game and ranked among Edmonton’s leaders in penalty-kill ice time.

Acquired from Nashville late in the 2022-23 season, the Swedish blueliner has 92 points and a plus-83 rating in 165 games with the Oilers.

He has 360 points in nearly 900 career NHL games and has appeared in three Stanley Cup finals.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 8, 2025.

The Canadian Press