As the Edmonton Oilers await their opponent in the Western Conference Final, news that the club’s best two-way defenceman is nearing a return.

Kris Knoblauch said Friday that Mattias Ekholm is now listed as day-to-day. The big defender will not draw back during Games One or Two of the series. But he could re-enter the lineup as soon as Game Three. “Optimistic” is the somewhat cautious word the coach chose to use.

“I’m not anticipating him being ready for Game One or Game Two, but we’re optimistic that maybe sometime in this third round he will join us”. he added “To expect Ekholm when he does join us that he’s gonna be the Ekholm that we saw last year in the playoffs, you know, I don’t think that’s going to be the case. Whether that takes him one, two, four or five games or whatever it is. But I think he’ll be able to help us in some aspect immediately’.

There will be some who will immediately think back to Ekholm’s false start late in the season and holler “Don’t rush him”. But my view is somewhat different, and I will explain why.

If Mattias Ekholm was your 5-6 on that blueline I would also lean on the side of being overcautious of his return. But when you are talking about a guy who may be your best defender (and let’s be honest, it’s not close), the potential benefit is far greater. Even of Ekholm were to come in playing third pairing minutes at seventy-five per cent but at no serious risk to re-injure himself…he plays. Ekholm stands to help the inconsistent Edmonton Penalty Kill, in particular.

Make no Mistake: It is terrific that the existing blueliners have gotten the Oilers this far. It is fair to say that they have over-delivered on expectations. The depth has paid off in a significant way that few predicted. But in the cold light of day, you do not willingly go into a gunfight with only five chambers of your six-shooter loaded.

Who sits when Ekholm is indeed ready is a healthy debate to have. Suffice to say that Evan Bouchard, Darnell Nurse, Brett Kulak and Jake Walman are going nowhere. From there, however, it does become a little less clear. John Klingberg has been a revelation in this post-season. I think he has an inside edge to stay in.

That leaves Troy Stecher and Ty Emberson. Stecher has certainly been good in his two games and stands to start Round Three. But on a really good team…Stecher is probably your “seven”.

Also on the injury front:

Calvin Pickard is not quite ready for a return, either, but appears close. It sounds like he will be cleared mid-series. Had Stuart Skinner not come back in the fashion that he did and delivered back-to-back shutouts, this news would be a catastrophe. But as Skinner was highly likely to start Game One anyway based on his more recent play…it is a somewhat minor detail for now. In the meantime, Olivier Rodrigue stays ready just in case.

Knoblauch answered a question from Hockey Hall of fame writer Jim Matheson on the veteran players who have been sitting out and forced to watch from the press box. Knoblauch:  “It’s a difficult situation (sic) where we go long stretches of time. It’s not like in the regular season when we are, you know, a player might miss a string of games, might be three in a row, and we usually get them back in. Where in the playoffs, things are going well, when there’s no need to change things, we don’t change things because that next game is so important to win”

Meanwhile, the Jets forcing Game Six versus Dallas is a gift. Not only do I have respect for Winnipeg and am a fan of Canadian teams advancing…

…the Oilers should also appreciate any extra rest extending that series may afford them.

Now on Bluesky @kurtleavins.bsky.social. Also, find me on Threads @kleavins, Twitter @KurtLeavins, Instagram at LeavinsOnHockey, and Mastodon at KurtLeavins@mstdn.social.

This article is not AI generated.

Recently, at The Cult…

STAPLES: Kris Knoblauch gets high praise for pushing all the right buttons against Vegas

STAPLES: Oilers advance with 1-0 win over Vegas in Game 5

LEAVINS: Skinner huge in Game 4 win over Golden Knights

In memory of Bruce McCurdy, 1955-2025.

Don’t miss the news you need to know — add EdmontonJournal.com and EdmontonSun.com to your bookmarks and sign up for our newsletters here.