I don't care if its a .0001% upgrade. McDrai's window is now and for morale, alone, it would have been a good move. Then, you consider that they both, McDavid and Draisaitl, need new deals in 3 years, this kind of commitment to winning is what will keep them in Edmonton and NOT holding on to lottery tickets because they could be worth something in 2026 when their contracts are up and they have all the cap space in the world. That isnt shortsighted either, Keeping the best players in the world happy will always come before some draft picks and mid prospects

How did they overpay? You would have crucified Holland had he done nothing! They had to give up something, other teams were bidding, they needed Ekholm badly.

Its TDL prices not the offseason. I dont see how they could have done better than this. Nashville also does well as they can flip Barrie next season or maybe this season for picks.

This is a win-win trade.

Barrie, I know, they could have still used but still they gave up nothing worthwhile for a legit prime top4 piece that they needed with size that can shutdown the opposition and we break up that Nurse-Ceci pairing.

Really love this for EDM bc they now get to avoid Karlsson massive length of a contract. With that said, they over paid.

Oilers get arguably the best two way defender in the league. Lol

Listen, If I'm McDavid or Drasaitl in 3 years, I look at this team will all of the old players on long term contracts, I'm not returning. Edmonton's window is right now, you're right. But moves like this are what would cause superstars to leave IMO.

Ekholm is the same age as Karlsson and signed for 1 year less than Karlsson.

He'll be 33 in the playoffs .... and 36 when his contract expires.

Listen, If I'm McDavid or Drasaitl in 3 years, I look at this team will all of the old players on long term contracts, I'm not returning. Edmonton's window is right now, you're right. But moves like this are what would cause superstars to leave IMO.

Just give Poile GM of the year.

Nashville: Acquires a younger #4, a former 1st round pick, a 1st round pick, and a 4th.

Edmonton: Acquires a Older Injury Prone #3 that will hurt in year 3 & 4 of the contract. Might be a slight upgrade now, but holy **** is this bad long term.

Barrie will be flipped for an even bigger return. Jezz

your probably just upset that Holland didn't trade Bourgault for Edmundson like the Habs media told you he would

Bro what are you on right now, Ekholm is literally the exactly the kind of player the Oilers need, a legit top four Dman who can play LD or RD and is great defensively

Just give Poile GM of the year.

Nashville: Acquires a younger #4, a former 1st round pick, a 1st round pick, and a 4th.

Edmonton: Acquires a Older Injury Prone #3 that will hurt in year 3 & 4 of the contract. Might be a slight upgrade now, but holy **** is this bad long term.

He missed 8 games in the COVID-shortened season and 6 last season due to COVID protocol. Doesn't seem injury prone does it? Stand by EDM winning. Ekholm has been aging decently and his defense shouldn't be a problem 2-3 years from now. Physically and speed-wise, he's going to slow down, but his defensive awareness is likely to still be there.

Is has been stated countless times Ekholm is one of the best two way dmen in the league.

78 vs 72. Not a large upgrade.

https://twitter.com/JFreshHockey/status/1630700461698195459/photo/1

vs.

https://twitter.com/JFreshHockey/status/1630696634425171970/photo/1

The #1 thing Oilers struggle with is EV defence where Ekholm shows a ~60% improvement while playing against tougher assignments and with lesser teammates. A lot of Barrie's value was PP minutes but even then he wasn't really the main reason for the PP success.

The #1 thing Oilers struggle with is EV defence where Ekholm shows a ~60% improvement while playing against tougher assignments and with lesser teammates. A lot of Barrie's value was PP minutes but even then he wasn't really the main reason for the PP success.