MATTIAS EKHOLM - Defenseman - 29 - $3.75MM Cap Hit - UFA in 2022-2023
LAST UPDATED 8/20/19
One of the more consistently underrated defensemen in the NHL, Mattias Ekholm has been a crucial cog in the Predators machine that has dominated the Central division since they swept the Blackhawks a few years ago. Ekholm is a fluid skater with decent puck moving abilities. He's no Erik Karlsson but he can be an asset with zone exits and can chip in on a power play reasonably well. He won't quarterback it, but he can seal the end boards and be a capable player for outlet passes in case any forwards in deep feel pressure. He's gotten the benefit of being able to play with some incredible partners, particularly P.K. Subban, which probably inflated his production a little bit, but I still think Ekholm is himself a ~35 point defenseman. Ekholm's defense is his strong suit, though, and Ekholm uses his above-average size, high hockey IQ, and decent skating abilities to be an impact defensive defenseman. Ekholm is elite as a net-front presence and is a major help to Pekka Rinne who needs Ekholm to clear his crease of screeners so that Rinne can see the puck. Ekholm is a strong penalty killer who can handle tough minutes and high quality opponents. He's not the greatest shutdown defenseman in hockey, but he's a high-end impact defenseman in his own end. Given his ability to produce at a reasonable level, his defensive strength and his overall versatility, Mattias Ekholm is a good #2 defenseman capable of anchoring a second pairing with a weaker partner or filling in on the top pairing with another #2.
One of the more consistently underrated defensemen in the NHL, Mattias Ekholm has been a crucial cog in the Predators machine that has dominated the Central division since they swept the Blackhawks a few years ago. Ekholm is a fluid skater with decent puck moving abilities. He's no Erik Karlsson but he can be an asset with zone exits and can chip in on a power play reasonably well. He won't quarterback it, but he can seal the end boards and be a capable player for outlet passes in case any forwards in deep feel pressure. He's gotten the benefit of being able to play with some incredible partners, particularly P.K. Subban, which probably inflated his production a little bit, but I still think Ekholm is himself a ~35 point defenseman. Ekholm's defense is his strong suit, though, and Ekholm uses his above-average size, high hockey IQ, and decent skating abilities to be an impact defensive defenseman. Ekholm is elite as a net-front presence and is a major help to Pekka Rinne who needs Ekholm to clear his crease of screeners so that Rinne can see the puck. Ekholm is a strong penalty killer who can handle tough minutes and high quality opponents. He's not the greatest shutdown defenseman in hockey, but he's a high-end impact defenseman in his own end. Given his ability to produce at a reasonable level, his defensive strength and his overall versatility, Mattias Ekholm is a good #2 defenseman capable of anchoring a second pairing with a weaker partner or filling in on the top pairing with another #2.
Services |
Company |
|