Ekholm will get the night off on Thursday as the Oilers opt to give him the night off to rest ahead of their playoff run. Leon Draisaitl, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Zach Hyman, Evander Kane, Evan Bouchard, and Connor McDavid will all join him in the press box tonight.
Ekholm was a late scratch for Wednesday's game against the Capitals with the team only announcing his absence shortly before warmups. His absence opens up the door for Troy Stecher to make his Oilers debut.
Ekholm missed the Oilers' season opener with a hip injury but is expected to play Saturday vs. the Canucks. Ekholm will help the Oilers blueline, which yielded eight goals on Wednesday. After joining the Oilers last season, Ekholm had 14 points (4G / 10A) and a remarkable plus-28 in 21 games.
Things look promising for Ekholm, who is listed as a game-time decision, to make his season debut on Saturday as he was participating regularly in drills alongside Evan Bouchard. Ekholm had 14 points (4G / 10A) in 21 games for the Oilers last season after being traded from the Nashville Predators at the trade deadline.
Ekholm practiced on Friday but said he can't say for sure that he'll be ready for opening night and that the injury has taken longer to heal that he originally thought. Philip Broberg will likely suit up if Ekholm can't play against the Canucks on Wednesday.
Ekholm had five goals, 13 assists, 99 SOG, and 24 PIMs across 57 games played with the Nashville Predators and has been acquired alongside a sixth-round pick from the Predators for Tyson Barrie, Reid Schaefer, a 2023 first-round pick and a fourth-round pick. He will make his Oilers' debut Wednesday vs. Toronto.
Ekholm had five goals, 13 assists, 99 SOG, and 24 PIMs across 57 games played with the Nashville Predators and has been acquired alongside a sixth-round pick from the Predators for Tyson Barrie, Reid Schaefer, a 2023 first-round pick and a fourth-round pick.
Ekholm was hurt Tuesday vs. the Lightning and did not return for the third period. Head coach John Hynes told a local radio station that Ekholm is week-to-week, so expect him to miss at least a couple of weeks.
The Predators cited "baby reasons" for why he missed Monday's game but he is expected to be back in the lineup on Tuesday. Expect Ekholm to replace Jared Tinordi on the blueline.
