Mattias Ekholm

Lore & Background

Ekholm began his professional career in Sweden with Mora IK and Brynäs, winning the Elitserien Rookie of the Year award in 2010–11. He signed an entry-level contract with the Nashville Predators and made his NHL debut in the 2011–12 season. Over his tenure with the Predators, he became an alternate captain, reached the Stanley Cup Final in 2017, and signed a four-year, $25 million contract extension in 2021. On 28 February 2023, he was traded to the Edmonton Oilers, where he set career highs in goals, points, and plus-minus in 2023–24, and returned to the Stanley Cup Final in 2024 and 2025. He signed a three-year, $12 million contract extension with the Oilers on 8 October 2025, and scored his first NHL hat-trick on 26 January 2026.

Reader's Guide

Mattias Ekholm is a defenceman for the Edmonton Oilers. He has never played for the Seattle Kraken. His career includes stints with the Nashville Predators and the Oilers, with multiple Stanley Cup Final appearances.

Did You Know?

• He scored his first NHL goal on 7 January 2014 against the San Jose Sharks.
• Ekholm was named an alternate captain for the Predators on 19 September 2017.
• Ekholm's +44 plus-minus in 2023–24 was the third-highest in the NHL that season.