Add an additional defenseman to the checklist of possibly offered blueliners heading right into the 2023 NHLTrade Deadline As per Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff, Mattias Ekholm is currently offered out of Nashville and also while his cap his is high and also there’s still lots of time left on his agreement, his experience and also capability to play a solid two-way video game might bring about some groups calling the Predators concerning the asking cost.
Seravalli creates that the truth Ekholm lately authorized a four-year bargain worth $25 million with the Predators isn’t mosting likely to quit the franchise business from attempting to see if they relocate the gamer. The NHL expert creates, “Predators GM David Poile has some uncomfortable decisions to make as Nashville has regressed to a likely non-playoff team saddled with expensive, term-laden contracts.” Ekholm serves, however he’s not economical.
Seravalli includes:
We’re informed Poile prepares to take into consideration relocating Ekholm, and also will certainly have a couple of various other cards are on the table. Could Ryan McDonagh additionally be offered? McDonagh was persuaded to forgo his ‘no-trade’ stipulation to leave Tampa Bay, which may be a high ask this moment around. And Ekholm does not have any type of ‘no-trade’ security in his bargain. Buckle up on Lower Broadway.
Who Might Be Interested in Ekholm?
In a follow-up post uploaded a number of days later on, Seravalli questioned if the Edmonton Oilers may be a group that kicks tires right here. Certainly, they can not pursue him at his complete wage cap hit. But, if the Predators want to preserve wage to relocate the gamer and also the Oilers really feel as if Ekholm can supply a little bit of what Duncan Keith did last period, he may be worth having a look at. He creates, “The question being asked internally right now is whether that defenseman should stylistically be a puck-moving type or a defensive-minded defender. Edmonton feels like an ideal landing spot for someone like Vladislav Gavrikov, but maybe Mattias Ekholm is a nice blend of the two styles.”
A 50% maintained Ekholm can be found in around $3.125 million, however there’s still the little issue of the truth he’s 32 years of ages and also has 3 even more periods on his bargain hereafter year.
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