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5 questions with Oil on Whyte ahead of tonight’s matchup between the LA Kings and the Edmonton Oilers

By Cameron Franck

Jan 9, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) passes past Los Angeles Kings center Quinton Byfield (55) during the first period at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) passes past Los Angeles Kings center Quinton Byfield (55) during the first period at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-USA TODAY Sports /
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Question #2: 2. Edmonton acquired Mattias Ekholm at the trade deadline, a very high-quality pickup. How is he fitting into the Oilers’ lineup?

"A: “One of the major concerns going through last off-season and this season up till the deadline was the fact the Oilers didn’t have enough depth on the blue line. They solved that problem when they acquired Ekholm. Not only is Ekholm solid in his own rights, his veteran presence has also improved the play of Evan Bouchard. Last season Bouchard was paired with Duncan Keith and Bouchard had solid defensive numbers. Since Keith retired in the offseason Bouchard didn’t have that veteran with him and his play struggled. Since the arrival of Ekholm, the Bouchard/Ekholm pairing has been making a case for being the first pair. So I think Ekholm has fit in perfectly.”"

One of the biggest question marks on the Edmonton Oilers roster was their lack of defense and unstable goaltending. In the offseason, general manager Ken Holland went out and signed Jack Campbell out of the free agency market, and just before the trade deadline, he brought in veteran defenseman Mattias Ekholm from Nashville.

Mar 6, 2023; Buffalo, New York, USA; Edmonton Oilers defenseman Mattias Ekholm (14) takes a shot on goal during the first period against the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 6, 2023; Buffalo, New York, USA; Edmonton Oilers defenseman Mattias Ekholm (14) takes a shot on goal during the first period against the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports /

Unfortunately, Edmonton hasn’t gotten the most out of Jack Campbell this season and his contract of five years, worth $25 million dollars is looking tougher by the day. But, on the other hand, Mattias Ekholm appears to be doing exactly what he was brought in for, which was to fill a major defensive hole and make people better. And that is exactly what he is doing.

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