Ekholm in, Barrie out will trigger major changes in Edmonton Oilers’ D-ployment
Ekholm #Ekholm
At a guess, tonight’s game between the Maple Leafs and Oilers might draw the largest weeknight hockey audience in Canada this season. Both teams return to action with significant changes to their line-ups since they last took to the ice. It’s always a high-profile showdown between two of the top teams in the country, both featuring a bevy of offensive stars. But tonight, and for both clubs, the focus will be on the back end. (Note: the specially tailored start time of 6:00pm MST = 8:00 EST.)
For the homestanding Oilers, those changes came in a pair of trades on Tuesday that reset their much-maligned defensive corps. For the fourth time in his 4 years at the helm, GM Ken Holland made a veteran defenceman his first acquisition at deadline time, though in a change of pace part of the acquisition cost was a vet d-man going the other way. In comes left-shooting defensive stalwart Mattias Ekholm , out goes right-shooting powerplay whiz Tyson Barrie — two very different players.
In the process Holland decisively put an end to the Oilers’ longstanding policy of valuing their own first-round draft choices above all else. Last summer after a flurry of signings that included RFAs Jesse Puljujarvi and Kailer Yamamoto along with recent draftee Reid Schaefer, I noted that the Oilers had achieved the unusual if not unique distinction of having their last TEN first round draft picks under contract. For most of the current season, the first eight of those (2013-20) were everyday players in Edmonton’s line-up; the ninth in the pipeline, the tenth finishing out his junior eligibility.
That changed yesterday. First, Puljujarvi was dealt to Carolina for a prospect and $3 million in cap space. Then Schaefer was part of the package to Nashville that netted Ekholm. So too was the first-round pick in 2023, marking the first time since 2006 (note: date!) that the Oilers have moved on from a first-round pick in advance of the draft. After days and weeks of exhortations from the unruly mob I affectionately call Oil Country for Ken Holland to “DO SOMETHING!!!”, Holland did something.
One thing he didn’t do, however, was trade either of his coveted young blueliners, former top-ten draft picks Evan Bouchard and Philip Broberg . Both remain very much a part of the future and indeed of the present. Indeed, for one of them a terrific new opportunity knocks.
Traded for the first time in his distinguished career, Ekholm flies from Nashville to Edmonton today and is expected to suit up tonight. He’ll face huge expectations to provide a major boost on the defensive side of the puck, where the Oilers’ 3.28 goals against per game ranks a dismal 20th in the NHL. Such expectations shouldn’t include that he somehow fix the deficiencies in goal or in the backchecking of the forwards, though he should help put out a few fires that de-emphasize both of those concerns. What can be expected is a major change in both the focus and the hierarchy of the d-corps.
Which brings us to Evan Bouchard . No resident Oiler is likely to be more affected by Tuesday’s transactions than the 23-year-old blueliner, who is likely to receive a pair of opportunities. With Barrie’s departure, the right-shooting Bouchard moves up the depth chart from the third pairing to the second, his 163 NHL games ranking behind only Cody Ceci ‘s 688 and well ahead of Vincent Desharnais ‘ 16. Just the 3 righties available now, which likely means increased opportunities for Bouchard and Desharnais, assuming the 7-man rotation continues.
With the rise up the depth chart surely comes a change in partner, with the newcomer Ekholm projecting as the best — indeed, ideal — fit. While Bouchard and rookie Philip Broberg showed well on the third pair, the alignment of two youngsters always meant sheltered minutes. Also possible the coaching staff could pair up Ekholm and Ceci on a shutdown pairing, freeing up Darnell Nurse to pair up with Bouchard on an all-purpose duo that many have been hoping to see.
Where this leaves Brett Kulak , last year’s trade deadline prize, is an open question. But without question, he’s now behind both Nurse and Ekholm on the left side of the depth chart. A proven performer on the third pairing, in theory Kulak joins Broberg and Desharnais in a rotating “bottom three”. But that’s just a guess; it will be fascinating to observe how head coach Jay Woodcroft and defensive assistant Dave Manson choose to roll with the refreshed group.
Bouchard’s other mammoth opportunity comes on the powerplay, where Barrie’s departure forces an internal promotion with Bouchard the obvious choice. His ability to transition to the top unit — Edmonton’s single biggest weapon — is a key element to the trade. Replacing a man with 202 career powerplay points (72 in Edmonton) with a youngster with just 14 represents a major gamble by Holland, but can also be construed as a statement of confidence in Bouch. The backup option is Nurse, with Woodcroft mentioning both in this morning’s Game Day avail.
Colleague David Staples dug in to Bouchard’s powerplay capacity in this related post.
While Bouchard’s ability to move the puck remains the strongest aspect of his game, the young blueliner’s once-noted ability to get his shots through and on net has taken a major, indeed inexplicable about-face in 2022-23.
The highlighted columns are shots on net vs. shots that were blocked, and at right, “Shots Through percentage”, meaning the percentage of all shot attempts that were on goal. That column varies erratically, especially compared to Barrie whose SThr% was exactly 50.2% in all 3 seasons he was in Edmonton.
Though way smaller in sample size, this issue has also cropped up on the powerplay:
It says here that with guys like Connor McDavid , Leon Draisaitl and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins teeing him up, Bouchard’s shooting efficacy will take a step forward. It would help greatly if a shot were to find the back of the net for a young man struggling through an uncharacteristic 39-game goalless drought.
Oilers’ contract hierarchy, updated
Let’s revisit a concept introduced in this recent post , namely how Edmonton’s contract structure resolves into 4 distinct categories.
Ekholm slots in at the top of the $5 million class, his true cap hit of $6,250,000 reduced to $6 million flat due to a 4% retention by Nashville. He’s locked up through 2026, coincidentally (?) the same year that McDavid’s pact expires. With the departure of Barrie and his 2024 expiry, Edmonton’s top 8 players by cap hit are all locked up for at least 2 more seasons after this one. All but Ekholm — notably, the only one signed by a different team — has a full No Movement Clause. Oilers fans, this is the core of your team for the foreseeable future.
The $3 million class has been reduced by one, namely Puljujarvi who also happened to be the only guy on the list with an expiring contract. The rest have at least a year to run. Among all of the top 12, Kailer Yamamoto stands alone as being RFA when his pact runs out.
Finally comes the $1 million class, where 7 of 9 are on expiring deals. This group includes many key youngsters including Bouchard, Broberg, Ryan McLeod and Stuart Skinner . The latter has already signed an extension with a significant raise, and Bouchard and McLeod are apt to do likewise this summer while Broberg remains a year away. Assuming bridge deals, they project as value contracts which the Oilers are going to continue to need.
Tonight’s (projected) line-up
…is very much in flux. Only a handful of players participated in the optional morning skate, while the new arrival hadn’t even arrived as yet. It’s confirmed that Evander Kane is not quite ready, so the other 20 players on the roster are going to be in the line-up, however deployed.
A couple of changes we do know. Devin Shore , for three years #14 on your program, has graciously switched to the #19 once worn by Cowboy Flett, Willy Lindstrom and Mikko Koskinen as well as scouting director Tyler Wright. This enables the incoming Ekholm to keep the #14 he preferred in Nashville, previously worn in Edmonton by B.J. MacDonald, Craig MacTavish, Jordan Eberle and Shore.
Jack Campbell is expected to get the start against his old team.
Tonight’s opponent
Too much has been written about these guys already, but their recent changes are worthy of mention. After adding former Smythe and Selke Trophy winner Ryan O’Reilly last week along with depth right-shot centre Noel Acciari, GM Kyle Dubas rolled up his sleeves in the last couple of days to make 4 trades.
Foremost among them was the deal with Chicago Blackhawks that landed top-4 defenceman Jake McCabe along with depth winger Sam Lafferty, both connected to the Oilers at one point (though wasn’t everybody?). Depth defenders Luke Schenn and former Oilers draft choice Erik Gustafsson were also added. How many of them actually dress for tonight remains to be seen. Presumably by a very large television audience.
Recently at the Cult of Hockey
STAPLES: Bouchard has his chance to shine with Ekholm, and without Barrie
STAPLES: Oilers acquire Ekholm for Barrie, top picks
McCURDY: Puljujarvi traded to Carolina
STAPLES: Player grades — McDavid’s brilliance not enough vs. Bruins
McCURDY: Running to stand still — a review of Games 51-60
LEAVINS: Time for Holland to do what needs doing — 9 Things
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