The Edmonton Oilers have been in search of a reliable defenseman for a while, and their quest finally ended at this year's NHL trade deadline when they acquired Mattias Ekholm. The move came at the cost of losing Tyson Barrie, which was controversial at the time. However, looking at the numbers, it's evident that the Oilers have come out on top. Since Ekholm's arrival, the team boasts an impressive 13-2-1 record.
Ekholm's performance has been solid, with 3 goals, 8 assists, and a +/- rating of +18 in just 16 games with the Oilers.
Alongside him, Evan Bouchard has been thriving, registering 3 goals, 11 assists, and a +/- rating of +6 in 16 games, with a total time on ice of 21:17. Since March 1st, Bouchard is also the 9th highest-scoring defenseman in the NHL.
While the Oilers miss Tyson Barrie, they can't complain about Ekholm's defensive prowess. His addition has made a significant impact on the team's performance, and they will be looking to continue their success as they head into the playoffs.
