Big news for the Edmonton Oilers: left-shot defenseman Mattias Ekholm is expected to return to the lineup during this homestand, potentially as soon as Thursday’s game against the Winnipeg Jets. Head coach Kris Knoblauch confirmed the update, as reported by Daniel Nugent-Bowman of The Athletic.

After being sidelined since March 4, Ekholm’s comeback could mark a turning point for the Oilers’ blueline.
Ekholm, the towering Swedish defenseman often dubbed a “Viking” on the ice, has been missed. His absence coincided with Edmonton’s trade of their 2026 first-round pick and Carl Berglund to San Jose for Jake Walman.

With Ekholm set to rejoin the team, Edmonton’s defence core is arguably the strongest it’s been in years. But with so many options available, the big question looms: how should the Oilers structure their pairings?

The addition of Walman gives Edmonton eight reliable defensemen to work with. This depth creates flexibility but also tough decisions, particularly for mid-season acquisitions like John Klingberg and Troy Stecher, who may find themselves rotating as seventh/eighth options.

The core group now includes Evan Bouchard, Ekholm, Walman, Darnell Nurse, Ty Emberson, and Brett Kulak: four left-shot defensemen and two right-shot defensemen. Someone will need to shift to their off-hand, but fortunately, Edmonton’s lefties have experience playing on the right side.

So far, Walman has been a revelation. According to Natural Stat Trick, he’s spent most of his five-on-five time paired with Bouchard, and the duo has thrived. In 51:44 minutes together, they’ve posted an impressive 75% goal share (GF%) and a 59.84 expected goal share (xGF%). They’ve also dominated high-danger opportunities, generating 14 high-danger shots while allowing just eight.

Walman’s second-most frequent partner, Nurse, has also clicked with him. In 30:32 minutes together, they’ve outshot opponents 36-22, outscored them 2-0, and achieved an outstanding 75.93 xGF%. When the Oilers needed crucial defensive stops, like with the net pulled against the Rangers, it was Nurse and Walman on the ice, with Nurse even shifting to his off-hand.

So, who pairs better with Walman: Bouchard or Nurse? The answer may depend on Ekholm.

Since arriving in Edmonton at the 2023 trade deadline, Ekholm has primarily partnered with Bouchard. Together, they’ve been a force, contributing to Bouchard’s breakout following the Tyson Barrie trade. Over 2,396 minutes of five-on-five play, the pair has recorded a 62.23 GF% and 60.05 xGF%. For comparison, Ekholm’s next-most frequent partner, Nurse, has shared just 157 minutes of ice time with him.

This season, however, the Bouchard-Ekholm pairing has shown cracks. While still solid overall (53.33 GF% and 58.69 xGF% in 935 minutes), their recent form has been concerning. They were outscored 0-6 in 120 minutes from February through early March, with a 48.36 xGF% and more high-danger chances allowed (25) than generated (22). Illnesses and injuries may explain the dip, but the trend is worrisome.

Bouchard’s performance without Ekholm during that stretch paints a different picture. In Ekholm’s absence, Bouchard posted a 50 GF%, 59.65 xGF%, and outchanced opponents 43-29 in high-danger opportunities. This raises a critical question: is Ekholm’s decline temporary, or is it a sign of age catching up to the 34-year-old veteran?

If Ekholm’s struggles stem from injury, a healthy return could restore his dominant form. However, if age is a factor, the Oilers may need to adjust his role. One solution could be pairing him with Nurse on the second unit. Historically, the Nurse-Ekholm pairing has been effective, posting a 58.82 GF% and 60.12 xGF% in 159 minutes together since Ekholm’s arrival. This season, they’ve continued to impress in limited action, with a 54.55 GF%, 56.99 xGF%, and a 20-16 edge in high-danger chances.

Both Nurse and Ekholm have shown the ability to play on their off-hand, offering head coach Knoblauch the flexibility to experiment. Meanwhile, Walman’s chemistry with Bouchard makes a strong case for keeping that duo together, especially given Walman’s physicality and defensive improvements since his time in Detroit.

For the first time in years, the Oilers have a defensive core that feels deep, balanced, and versatile. Walman’s emergence, combined with Ekholm’s return, gives Edmonton four defensemen capable of thriving in top-four roles. And let’s not forget the bottom pairing of Brett Kulak and Ty Emberson, which ranks among the league’s best.

The key now lies in unlocking the right combinations. Whether it’s reuniting Ekholm and Bouchard, giving Nurse and Ekholm an extended run, or leaning on the Walman-Bouchard tandem, the Oilers have options — and that’s a luxury they haven’t enjoyed in quite some time.