Mattias
Ekholm
D · EDM · Two-way · Excellent
- PAL
- 87
- WAR
- 2.1
- Value
- 81
- PTS
- 41
2025-26№ 19 / 325
Mattias Ekholm (Edmonton Oilers) stats and profile: offensive production, ice time, advanced stats, WAR and PAL rating.
Mattias Ekholm
#14D
Edmonton Oilers
HEIGHT : 193 cm · WEIGHT : 96 kg · SHOOTS : L
Born : May 23, 1990 · Borlange, Sweden
Drafted : 2009 · NSH · round 4, pick #102
Contract : $4,000,000 · 2026-27 → 2028-29 · Standard Contract (Extension) · UFA · Signing bonus $2,000,000NMC
NHL record
| Year | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-27 | Edmonton Oilers | 16 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 16 |
| 2025-26 | Edmonton Oilers | 82 | 6 | 35 | 41 | 30 |
| 2024-25 | Edmonton Oilers | 65 | 9 | 24 | 33 | 30 |
| 2023-24 | Edmonton Oilers | 79 | 11 | 34 | 45 | 47 |
| 2022-23 | Edmonton Oilers | 21 | 4 | 10 | 14 | 4 |
| 2022-23 | Nashville Predators | 57 | 5 | 13 | 18 | 24 |
| 2021-22 | Nashville Predators | 76 | 6 | 25 | 31 | 44 |
| 2020-21 | Nashville Predators | 48 | 6 | 17 | 23 | 14 |
| 2019-20 | Nashville Predators | 68 | 8 | 25 | 33 | 32 |
| 2018-19 | Nashville Predators | 80 | 8 | 36 | 44 | 47 |
| 2017-18 | Nashville Predators | 81 | 10 | 24 | 34 | 46 |
| 2016-17 | Nashville Predators | 82 | 3 | 20 | 23 | 34 |
| 2015-16 | Nashville Predators | 82 | 8 | 27 | 35 | 44 |
| 2014-15 | Nashville Predators | 80 | 7 | 11 | 18 | 52 |
| 2013-14 | Nashville Predators | 62 | 1 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
| 2012-13 | Nashville Predators | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2011-12 | Nashville Predators | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| NHL totals | 982 | 95 | 314 | 409 | 474 | |
Playoffs
| Year | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | Edmonton Oilers | 6 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| 2024-25 | Edmonton Oilers | 7 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 14 |
| 2023-24 | Edmonton Oilers | 25 | 5 | 5 | 10 | 6 |
| 2022-23 | Edmonton Oilers | 12 | 1 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| 2021-22 | Nashville Predators | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| 2020-21 | Nashville Predators | 6 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| 2019-20 | Nashville Predators | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 2018-19 | Nashville Predators | 6 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 12 |
| 2017-18 | Nashville Predators | 13 | 1 | 7 | 8 | 12 |
| 2016-17 | Nashville Predators | 22 | 1 | 10 | 11 | 38 |
| 2015-16 | Nashville Predators | 14 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 4 |
| 2014-15 | Nashville Predators | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Playoff totals | 125 | 13 | 47 | 60 | 102 | |
Mattias Ekholm: our analysis
2025-26 season: 82 GP, 6 G, 35 A, 41 PTS, +32 +/-, 20:36 TOI. WAR 2.1 (19th of 325) · PAL 87, excellent.
In 2025-26, Mattias Ekholm, 36, posts a PAL Rating of 87 out of 100 (excellent), and his WAR of 2.1 ranks 19th among 325 regulars, in the top quarter.
His strengths: possession (99, among the best in the league), creation (83, well above average) and defense (83, well above average). On the other hand, power play (24, well below average) holds him back.
Breaking down his WAR (goals above average), his biggest contribution: EV offense (+7.1); his biggest cost: finishing (-2.5).
A slight dip from 2024-25, when his PAL was 94; his WAR, though, went from 2.0 to 2.1.
Contract-wise, his Value score of 81 (very good contract) weighs his output against what he costs: 50 is what that salary should buy.
Mattias Ekholm's story
Growing up in Borlänge, Mattias Ekholm learned the defensive fundamentals with Mora IK before moving on to Brynäs IF, where he became a regular on the blue line and drew attention beyond Sweden. Those early club years set the stage for his move to North America.
Nashville selected him 102nd overall in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, and Ekholm kept developing at home while attending the Predators' development camp. The 2010–11 season was decisive: after a strong start with Brynäs he earned a place among Elitserien's rookie finalists and ultimately won the rookie award, then followed with the Salming Award as the league's top defenceman.
Ekholm signed a three-year entry-level deal with Nashville for 2011–12 and made his NHL debut on 13 October 2011. His early pro years included assignments back to Sweden and stints in the AHL with the Milwaukee Admirals, before establishing himself more consistently with the Predators. Highlights in Nashville included playing in the 2017 Stanley Cup Final and being named an alternate captain in September 2017.
On 28 February 2023 he was traded to the Edmonton Oilers; Ekholm debuted for Edmonton on 1 March 2023 and scored his first goal as an Oiler on 11 March. In the seasons that followed he posted career highs in offensive categories and helped the team reach the Stanley Cup Final on multiple occasions.
Internationally, Ekholm has represented Sweden at various levels and was added to the senior roster for the 2026 World Championship on 6 May 2026. His game is straightforward: steady in his own end, capable of starting plays out of the defensive zone, mobile enough to join the rush and disciplined in a way that limits time spent short-handed.
Facts drawn from Wikipédia, told in our own words.
Advanced stats
- TOI/GP
- 21:01
- PP TOI/GP
- 0:26
- SH TOI/GP
- 2:35
- Pts/GP
- 0.50
- EV points
- 7
- Hits
- 13
- Blocks
- 15
- Takeaways
- 2
- Corsi % (SAT)
- 53.1 %
- Off. zone starts
- 33.9 %
Stats and photos: NHL (NHL.com)
2026-27 projection
Projected points
35between 21 and 48 (80% range)
- Goals
- 9
- Assists
- 27
- Games
- 77
So far: 8 pts in 16 games. The team has played 18 of 84 games. Projected pace: 0.45 pts per game (last season: 0.50).
The projection follows last season's pace. Tested on 2,265 player seasons (2022-23 to 2025-26): average miss of 9 points over 82 games; for players at 0.9 points per game and up, it ran 5 points high on average.
Trend
Stable
- Points per game: 0.57 in 23-24, 0.50 in 25-26
- PAL Rating: 94 → 87
Outlook, age included
↘ Slight declineAge 36: the age when production usually declines
This is only a projection. It knows nothing about injuries, trades or role changes; one player in five finishes outside the range.
Player ratings, 2025-26
All ratings →Fourteen ratings from 0 to 100 drawn from data, never by hand: 75 = established NHL player, 95+ = elite.
OV · OverallConfidence 86 %
89
High-end
- SK
- Skating
- 71
- Confidence 73 %
- ST
- Strength
- 74
- Confidence 89 %
- EN
- Endurance
- 81
- Confidence 80 %
- DU
- Durability
- 83
- Confidence 77 %
- CK
- Checking
- 73
- Confidence 89 %
- FG
- Fighting
- 68
- Confidence 65 %
- DI
- Discipline
- 74
- Confidence 89 %
- FO
- Faceoffs
- —
- PA
- Passing
- 86
- Confidence 86 %
- SC
- Scoring
- 82
- Confidence 86 %
- DF
- Defense
- 85
- Confidence 84 %
- PS
- Penalty shot
- 76
- Confidence 0 %
- EX
- Experience
- 95
- Confidence 100 %
Why these ratings?Hide details
SK — Skating71
- Top speed (35 %)35.2 · 71
- Bursts > 20 mph /60 (30 %)1.433 · 67
- Distance /60 (20 %)14.2 · 74
- Speed consistency (15 %)34.2 · 70
ST — Strength74
- Contact absorbed /60 (50 %)4.307 · 68
- Body mass (50 %)0.729 · 80
EN — Endurance81
- Ice time per game (45 %)20.2 · 80
- Total ice time (20 %)1,628 · 82
- Shift length (15 %)49.1 · 80
- Lowest recent ice time per game (15 %)19.4 · 81
- Special-teams time per game (5 %)2.617 · 78
DU — Durability83
- Share of games played (100 %)0.866 · 83
CK — Checking73
- Hits /60 (70 %)2.88 · 73
- Lowest seasonal rate (20 %)2.072 · 70
- Season volume (10 %)4.19 · 77
FG — Fighting68
- Fights per 82 games (100 %)0.736 · 68
DI — Discipline74
- Net penalty value /60 (50 %)-0.042 · 74
- Penalties taken /60 (30 %)0.612 · 76
- Penalties drawn /60 (20 %)0.364 · 73
PA — Passing86
- Primary assists /60 (40 %)0.527 · 84
- Secondary assists /60 (20 %)0.609 · 86
- Offensive creation (RAPM) (20 %)0.261 · 93
- Power-play points /60 (10 %)4.415 · 83
- Assist consistency (10 %)0.365 · 84
SC — Scoring82
- Goals /60 (25 %)0.291 · 81
- Individual xG /60 (20 %)0.3 · 86
- Finishing (goals − xG per shot) (20 %)-0.079 · 60
- High-danger chances /60 (15 %)0.2 · 86
- xG per shot (10 %)0.036 · 85
- Shot attempts /60 (10 %)11.9 · 84
DF — Defense85
- RAPM defense /60 (35 %)0.14 · 86
- Relative xG against (20 %)-0.098 · 81
- On-ice xG against /60 (15 %)2.478 · 83
- Penalty kill /60 (10 %)-0.001 · 76
- Takeaways − giveaways /60 (10 %)-2.053 · 73
- Shot attempts against /60 (5 %)56 · 85
- Blocked shots /60 (5 %)4.296 · 73
PS — Penalty shot76
- Shootouts (60 %)32.7 · 76
- Penalty shots (40 %)26.7 · 76
EX — Experience95
- Career regular-season games (65 %)97
- Career playoff games (25 %)91
- NHL seasons (10 %)94
OV — Overall89
- DF · Defense (30 %)85
- PA · Passing (22 %)86
- SK · Skating (12 %)71
- SC · Scoring (12 %)82
- EN · Endurance (9 %)81
- ST · Strength (6 %)74
- DI · Discipline (5 %)74
- CK · Checking (4 %)73
| Season | OV | SK | SC | DF |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 89 | 71 | 82 | 85 |
| 2024-25 | 90 | 68 | 88 | 85 |
| 2023-24 | 89 | 68 | 88 | 83 |
| 2022-23 | 88 | 67 | 85 | 86 |
The bars show confidence (sample size), not player quality. — : not enough data, not a zero. Engine version 1.0.
WAR and PAL ratings, 2025-26
How we rate →PAL Rating scores performance from 0 to 100 against players at the same position (50 = average player), starting from the player's strength, offensive or defensive. Value Rating compares that performance with what the player costs: 50 means paid what the play is worth.
WAR
2.1
wins above replacement
19 of 325
PAL Rating
87/ 100
Performance · Excellent
29 of 250 at the position
Value Rating
81/ 100
Very good contract
6.25 M$ · expected PAL 68
ProfileTwo-wayStrong at both ends
- Offense
- 82
- Defense
- 90
See full detailsHide details
- Offense
- 76
- Creation
- 83
- Shooting
- 61
- Possession
- 99
- Defense
- 83
- Discipline
- 51
- Power play
- 24
- Penalty kill
- 75
From 0 to 100; 50 is the average player at the same position, adjusted for ice time.
| Season | Team | WAR | PAL | Value | Cap hit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | EDM | 2.1 | 87 | 81 | 6.25 M$ |
| 2024-25 | EDM | 2.0 | 94 | 90 | 6.25 M$ |
| 2023-24 | EDM | 2.5 | 97 | 96 | 6.25 M$ |
| 2022-23 | EDM | 2.5 | 86 | 71 | 6.25 M$ |
Hockey IQ, 2025-26
Rankings and method →The quality of the player's decisions with and against the puck at 5-on-5, against regulars at the same position (50 = average). PAL measures output; IQ measures how the player plays.
Overall IQ
72/ 100
Very good
better than 72% of defensemen, offense and defense combined
Offensive IQ
51/ 100
Average
passing, shots, puck
Defensive IQ
80/ 100
Very good
takeaways, discipline, own zone
Overall IQ isn't an average of the two scores: it's the player's rank with offense and defense combined, 62 of 225 defensemen.
See full detailsHide details
Offense
- Playmaking passes
- 86
- Shot selection
- 73
- Penalties drawn
- 32
- Puck management
- 14
Defense
- Takeaways
- 70
- Discipline
- 59
- Safe zone exits
- 85
Percentiles: 80 means better than 80% of regulars at the same position. Play without the puck (positioning, coverage) isn't measured: the NHL doesn't publish that data.
| Season | Team | IQ | Off. | Def. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | EDM | 72 | 51 | 80 |
| 2024-25 | EDM | 80 | 63 | 82 |
| 2023-24 | EDM | 95 | 98 | 58 |
| 2022-23 | EDM | 80 | 77 | 73 |
WAR, 2025-26
How it's calculated →Wins added to the team, compared with a replacement-level player called up from the AHL.
2.1
wins above replacement
1.1 to 3.1 — 90% interval
19 of 325 defensemen
+10.9 goals above replacement
Full leaderboard →See full detailsHide details
- EV offense
- +7.1
- EV defense
- +3.9
- Power play
- -0.2
- Penalty kill
- +0.1
- Shooting
- -2.5
- Penalties
- -1.0
- Average → replacement
- +3.4
In goals.
| Season | Team | GP | WAR | 90% interval | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | EDM | 82 | 2.1 | 1.1 to 3.1 | 19/325 |
| 2024-25 | EDM | 64 | 2.0 | 1.0 to 2.9 | 17/314 |
| 2023-24 | EDM | 79 | 2.5 | 1.1 to 3.7 | 9/316 |
| 2022-23 | EDM | 78 | 2.5 | 1.5 to 3.6 | 6/334 |
Player tracking (NHL EDGE)
League EDGE leaderboards →Speed, shot power, distance covered, time by zone: measured by chips in the puck and shoulder pads. 90th percentile = better than 90% of players.
- Hardest shot
- 153.0 km/h91st percentileleague avg. 139.7 km/h
- Top skating speed
- 33.6 km/h36th percentileleague avg. 34.0 km/h
- Bursts over 20 mph, season
- 858th percentileleague avg. 8
- Offensive zone time
- 44.7 %87th percentileleague avg. 42.4 %
See full detailsHide details
- Total distance, season
- 77.6 km72nd percentileleague avg. 56.1 km
- Distance, single-game high
- 5.43 km68th percentileleague avg. 4.98 km
- Offensive zone at 5v5
- 46.6 %97th percentileleague avg. 42.8 %
- Neutral zone time
- 17.8 %32nd percentileleague avg. 16.9 %
- Defensive zone time
- 37.6 %85th percentileleague avg. 40.8 %
Shooting
| Shots on goal | Goals | Shooting % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All | 1866th percentile | 395th percentile | 16.7 %98th percentile |
| High danger | 175th percentile | 084th percentile | 0.0 %60th percentile |
| Mid range | 579th percentile | 190th percentile | 20.0 %77th percentile |
| Long range | 968th percentile | 299th percentile | 22.2 %100th percentile |
Shots on goal by zone
2026-2027 regular season. Measured by puck and player tracking chips; the percentile ranks the player within the league.
Game log, 2026-27
🔥 3-game point streak
VAN
ANA
NJD
NYR
NYI
CGY
CAR
MIN
UTA
LAK
SJS
SEAMattias Ekholm: frequently asked questions
How many goals does Mattias Ekholm have in 2026-27?
Mattias Ekholm has 3 goals and 8 points (5 assists) in 16 games in 2026-27.
How old is Mattias Ekholm?
Mattias Ekholm is 36 years old: he was born on May 24, 1990.
How tall is Mattias Ekholm, and how much does he weigh?
Mattias Ekholm is 6'4" (193 cm) and weighs 212 lb (96 kg).
Where is Mattias Ekholm from?
Sweden: Mattias Ekholm was born in Borlange, Sweden.
What team does Mattias Ekholm play for?
Mattias Ekholm plays for the Edmonton Oilers in the NHL, at D, wearing number 14.
Is Mattias Ekholm injured?
No: Mattias Ekholm is not on the latest NHL injury report. This answer is updated throughout the season.
How good is Mattias Ekholm?
Mattias Ekholm produced 2.1 wins above replacement (WAR) in 2025-26, 19th of 325 players at his position in the NHL. His PAL rating is 87 out of 100: excellent for his position.
How much does Mattias Ekholm make?
Mattias Ekholm earns $6.3M for the 2025-26 season. His Value Rating is 81 out of 100 (very good contract): it measures the on-field return for that salary, compared with players at his position.
When does Mattias Ekholm's contract end?
Mattias Ekholm's contract runs through the 2028-29 season; he will then be an unrestricted free agent. It includes a NMC clause.
Is Mattias Ekholm overpaid?
No, he gives more than he costs. His Value rating is 81 out of 100 (very good contract), where 50 is the output expected for his salary, compared with players at his position.
Is Mattias Ekholm a top-10 player at his position?
No: by WAR, he ranks 19th of 325 players at his position in the NHL in 2025-26. Our comparison tool puts him side by side with any other player.
Is Mattias Ekholm getting better?
No, he is slipping: his PAL rating went from 94 in 2024-25 to 87 in 2025-26 (out of 100, 50 = average player at his position).
How has Mattias Ekholm played lately?
Over his last 10 games, Mattias Ekholm has 6 points (2 goals, 4 assists).
What are Mattias Ekholm's career stats?
Over his NHL career, Mattias Ekholm has 982 games, 95 goals, 314 assists and 409 points. His best season: 2023-24, with 45 points in 79 games.
Where was Mattias Ekholm drafted?
Mattias Ekholm was drafted 102nd overall (round 4) by Nashville Predators in 2009.
Is Mattias Ekholm better at home or on the road?
On the road: in 2026-27, he averages 0.38 points per game at home (3 in 8 games) and 0.63 on the road (5 in 8 games).
How does Mattias Ekholm perform in the playoffs?
In the playoffs, Mattias Ekholm has 125 games and 60 points in his career. His pace (0.48 points per game) is similar to his regular-season pace (0.42).
Which player is most similar to Mattias Ekholm?
Sean Walker: he is the player at his position whose PAL profile (the 0-to-100 dimensions) is closest to his in 2025-26.
Sean Walker's page →Is Mattias Ekholm a good fantasy pick?
Probably not, except in deep leagues: our projection has him at 35 points in 2026-27, or 0.45 points per game.
What is Mattias Ekholm's nationality?
Mattias Ekholm is Swedish. Internationally: Sweden senior team — added to the roster for the 2026 World Championship.
What awards has Mattias Ekholm won?
Elitserien Rookie of the Year — 2010–11 season ; Börje Salming Award (top defenceman in the Swedish Elite League).
Where did Mattias Ekholm play before turning pro?
Played with Mora IK; played with Brynäs during the 2010–11 season.
How many points is Mattias Ekholm projected to score in 2026-27?
Our projection has him at 35 points in 77 games in 2026-27 (21 to 48 points, 80% interval), based on his recent seasons, age and role.
See also: his Edmonton Oilers teammates
Full roster →
NHL.com ↗ · Stats and photos: NHL (NHL.com)