As Edmonton Oilers General Manager Stan Bowman is working on important summer contract extensions, one decision is further than Captain Connor McDavid: what kind of extension to give the best defender Mattias Ekholm?
Taken from the Nashville Predators in 2023, Ekholm is a solution for the blue line of Edmonton. The oilers paid a high price to get it, but he fitted in seamlessly, and his combination with Evan Bouchard has given the oilers a legitimate deterrent and blue line weapon on five-five. On 35 and the last year of his deal at the start of his deal, the future of Ekholm is unclear. Problems with age and injuries are problems, as was clear in his most recent Play -Off Run.
What is the follow -up plan for the oilers after Ekholm?
Allan Mitchell van Athletics Note that the oilers do not have a clear follow -up plan. Philip BrobraR, once projected as the next in line, was lost to the St. Louis Blues via an offering sheet. Other internal options-vriley Stillman, Cam Dineen and prospects such as Paul Fischer and Atro Leppanen are non-ready. It is too early to know if they will ever be able to process top -pair for minutes.
Jake Walman and Brett Kulak have been compiled the issue and will also become free agents next summer, leaving Darnell Nurse behind as the only left-shot defender under contract after 2025. Although the nurse remains an important piece of the core of the oilers, he is not Ekholm.
If the oilers find no help, Mitchell suggests that it is necessary to sign Ekholm for an extension. Walking Ekholm would leave a large void and finding a similar replacement in the free desk is unlikely. The internal depth of the oilers is not willing to fill the gap, and the people of Ekholm probably realize it.
What would an extension look like?
In the last year of a $ 6 million deal per season, a short-term extension or three years with less than that number would be ideal. As Ekholm gets older and injuries become an even greater problem, everything becomes a risk for longer. However, it may be necessary to offer more period to touch his cap to a reasonable number.
A four -year -old deal would take him to 40 years old. That is too long in theory, but it keeps the best defensive duo of the team and gives Edmonton the time to find or take care of a replacement.
If Ekholm wants longer or more money, Bowman may have to look on the market for a defender who can play in the top four on the left.
Next: Handelsbuzz: Skinner overlooked while Oilers are planning important extensions
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