[Trade] Ekholm (4% retained) + 6th to Oilers for Barrie, Schafer, 2023 1st, and 2024 4th

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

I guess good for the Oilers in seeing where they need some help vs. accumulating more scoring. This trade doesn't really elevate them nor does it crash them.

First rounders are getting traded like candy right now but for the Oilers and their star heavy win now lineup, it makes some sense I suppose.

I am a little leery of how weak the west looks and how any team could go on a run. But still think any team, Oilers especially, will find playing the Avs like hitting a brick wall. So hopefully they exit the playoffs quickly and then this trade will only look worse as time goes on.

I don't think Vegas is getting enough credit either.

And I am still waiting for LA to make a splash before Friday

[Macho0978]

Originally Posted by Aarongavey

I guess players with term left have some serious value.

Trades like this make me think Backlund could get a haul for us.

[dino7c]

The Oilers have won like 4 of 11 games?

buy buy buy

[Macho0978]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

I don't think Vegas is getting enough credit either.

And I am still waiting for LA to make a splash before Friday

LA is a big one. They have 4 players that are waiver exempt that they could send down to gain cap space. They have extra picks and are a good team with tons of prospects. I assume they will get Chychrun though

[TheScorpion]

I didn't think Edmonton had a single top-pair defenceman before they made this trade and I still don't think they have one now.

[bigrangy]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

I didn't think Edmonton had a single top-pair defenceman before they made this trade and I still don't think they have one now.

Ekholm is pretty good. No worse than Hanifin and even though I don't like him, looking around the league it's hard to find 63 better d-men than him.

He's not your 1A stanley cup winning guy but outside of Pronger those guys typically don't change teams.

[direwolf]

None of this matters. Oilers will still get bounced in round 1.

Edmonton is no good.

[the-rasta-masta]

Is the 1st protected? Would love to see the Oilers slide out of the playoffs and that be a top 15 pick.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by bigrangy

Ekholm is pretty good. No worse than Hanifin and even though I don't like him, looking around the league it's hard to find 63 better d-men than him.

He's not your 1A stanley cup winning guy but outside of Pronger those guys typically don't change teams.

I was trying to decide the best Flames' comparable, and settled on Hanifin.

I don't think Ekholm is as talented overall, and Hanifin is a much better skater, but Ekholm is steadier defensively. Hanifin is 7 years younger and $1.5M cheaper though.

[Badgers Nose]

That seems like a massive over payment by EDM.

[flamingred89]

Imagine going from Roman Josi to Darnell Nurse as your linemate. RIP Ekholm.

Ekholm has been a great defenseman for years. But he's a Robyn Regehr type where the mileage is a lot for a near 33 year old. He's definitely lost a step. I think he's going to struggle in the Oilers pond hockey, fly the zone mentality and struggle to adapt.

[Manhattanboy]

Originally Posted by flamingred89

Imagine going from Roman Josi to Darnell Nurse as your linemate. RIP Ekholm.

Ekholm has been a great defenseman for years. But he's a Robyn Regehr type where the mileage is a lot for a near 33 year old. He's definitely lost a step. I think he's going to struggle in the Oilers pond hockey, fly the zone mentality and struggle to adapt.

Plus his entire career he's been used to his forwards coming back across the centre red line.

[CalgaryFan1988]

Ekholm makes over 3 million dollars less than Nurse.

[gvitaly]

I think he makes EDM a much tougher out in the playoffs. We'll see how long it takes him to get adjusted. It seems like a smart move for EDM, because it addresses their biggest weakness... I hope it doesn't workout for them

PS: The Oilers got him for less than Taylor Hall, so it can't be an overpayment.

[N-E-B]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

A single defensive d-man doesn’t cure a bad defensive team. Others have tried this and it doesn’t work.

I agree but I didn’t say they were cured, just that they’ve probably improved. They still have lots of warts on D for sure.

[Jiggy_12]

I’m…im sorry…4% retained?

This is hilarious.

Would have looked better on the Oilers if nothing was retained. All this does is draw attention to how bad they are at a negotiation. Other teams - take note

[All In Good Time]

Originally Posted by direwolf

None of this matters. Oilers will still get bounced in round 1.

Edmonton is no good.

I still think there’s a realistic possibility that they don’t make the playoffs

[Phaneufenstein]

As bad as Barrie has been defensively, he's been good on the power play.

He's been in on 63.5% of the Oilers total power play time/game which ranks 5th on the team, so essentially he's been a part of the top unit.

He's got 4G and 24A operating on the PP.

Ekholm's played 18% of Nashville's PP and has a total of 0 PPG and 3 PPA.
While not comparable directly, since the Edmonton's top unit is much more potent, this is something to observe going forward.

I'm guessing they expect Bouchard to fill the gap left by Barrie's departure and not Ekholm.

[Winsor_Pilates]

This sucks.
As much as we all hate Edmonton, they made the Western final last year and McDavid will elevate his play in the playoffs again.

Hopefully their goaltending does them in or Vegas/Colorado are strong enough.
Forcing myself to be unbiased, they have a decent path to the finals this year, the West isn't strong.

[Southside403]

Originally Posted by Phaneufenstein

As bad as Barrie has been defensively, he's been good on the power play.

He's been in on 63.5% of the Oilers total power play time/game which ranks 5th on the team, so essentially he's been a part of the top unit.

He's got 4G and 24A operating on the PP.

Ekholm's played 18% of Nashville's PP and has a total of 0 PPG and 3 PPA.
While not comparable directly, since the Edmonton's top unit is much more potent, this is something to observe going forward.

I'm guessing they expect Bouchard to fill the gap left by Barrie's departure and not Ekholm.

I agree barrie is huge part of that powerplay I hope that caves them. Still can't see edmonton going as far as they did last year they fluked