Ekholm, while a plus-19 in 18 games for the Oilers, with the next contest Saturday afternoon in San Jose, also has 11 points (three goals) and 31 shots in an Edmonton uniform. Did anybody expect that? He had 18 points in 57 games with the Predators before the trade.
«When I made the trade, No. 1, I was looking for a guy who could really defend,» said Holland. «I knew we could score, but we needed a defender. I wanted somebody with size and I also liked Mattias had three years left in his contract. So it wasn't a one-off (trade rental).»