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Top 10 Oilers stories of 2025: #8 — An early playoff Mattias Ekholm injury update
Edmonton Oilers defenceman Mattias Ekholm
Photo credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Zach Laing
Dec 26, 2025, 11:00 ESTUpdated: Dec 24, 2025, 16:56 EST
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Welcome to Oilersnation’s top 10 stories of the year, where we count down the most-read stories you, the reader, clicked on in 2025. 
The Edmonton Oilers navigating through Mattias Ekholm’s injury in last year’s playoffs certainly was a big story. Injured late in the regular season, he wouldn’t return until the final game of the Western Conference Final, and when he did, he surely didn’t look himself.
It was a groin injury that ailed Ekholm, and it was clear that it impacted his game in the postseason. But when this article was written in the first round of the playoffs, there was still optimism about his return.
Here’s some of what Cam Lewis wrote about the injury update:
The Edmonton Oilers might get a major reinforcement to their lineup if they can keep their playoff run going.
According to Jason Gregor, Mattias Ekholm has “responded well” as he works to return from an undisclosed injury. He added that Ekholm won’t play the Los Angeles Kings and would be unlikely to return if the Oilers advance to the second round, but could be ready after that.
Ekholm spent the latter part of the 2024-25 season dealing with either illness or injury. He struggled leading into the 4 Nations Face-Off break in February and was worse off when he returned to the Oilers after representing Sweden in the tournament.
The Oilers had a disastrous five-game road trip immediately following the break and Ekholm was finally sidelined for a couple of weeks in March to recover. The veteran defender seemed to be finding his game after some time off, but suffered an undisclosed injury later in the month that again derailed his season.
And while the Oilers would’ve loved more from Ekholm, the team was undoubtedly happy to have a staple back on their blue line. Ekholm still seemed off during the early part of this regular season, but he’s rounded into form, scoring three goals and 17 points in 38 games this season.
Having him healthy through the remainder of the year and into the playoffs will be key if the team wants to make another deep run in the postseason.

Top 10 stories of 2025

Zach Laing is Oilersnation’s managing editor, senior columnist, and The Nation Network’s news director. He also makes up one-half of the Daily Faceoff DFS Hockey Report. He can be followed on X at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach.laing@bettercollective.com.

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