Nashville Predators trade Mattias Ekholm to Edmonton Oilers as selling continues

First Nino Niederreiter hit the road to Winnipeg. Then went Tanner Jeannot to Tampa Bay. On Tuesday, it was Mattias Ekholm’s turn.

The 32-year-old defenseman, who has made clear in recent years his desire to stay with the Nashville Predators, was traded to the Edmonton Oilers, a source confirmed to The Tennessean. The Predators also sent a sixth-round pick in exchange for defenseman Tyson Barrie, forward Reid Schaefer, a first-round pick in this year’s draft and a fourth-round pick in 2024, according to Elliotte Friedman of TSN.

Ekholm told The Tennessean Tuesday morning it was tough to see his former teammates traded and that his focus remained on trying to make the playoffs with Nashville.

“I feel like it’s every other year now,” Ekholm said of hearing his name in trade rumors. “I don’t even know how to answer. I stand here now and feel confident to be with this group. I want to be here, obviously. I signed a contract to stay here and I have no other thoughts in my head, whether I’ll be traded or not. It’s not up to me.”

Outgoing general manager David Poile and incoming GM Barry Trotz both have referred to the franchise’s strategy as a “reset,” but Poile did acknowledge to The Tennessean the team would, indeed, be selling leading up to Friday’s NHL trade deadline in an effort to stockpile draft capital.

The team received a second-round pick from the Jets for Niederreiter and a first-, second-, third-, fourth- and fifth-round pick, along with defenseman Cal Foote from the Lightning for Jeannot.

Ekholm signed a four-year, $25 million extension before last season and has spent his entire 12-year career with Nashville, which picked him in the fourth round of the 2009 NHL Draft.

The Predators also acquired forward Austin Rueschhoff from the New York Rangers for future considerations earlier Tuesday afternoon.

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This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville Predators trade Mattias Ekholm to Edmonton Oilers