Over the past dozen years or so, any signing of an unrestricted free agent or pending UFA by the Edmonton Oilers has been met with trepidation by fans. Edmonton management has had an uncanny knack for identifying aging veterans just past the tipping point and immediately signing them to long-term deals. Some of the most devastating contracts in cap-era history have landed in Edmonton since the summer of 2016.So when the club announced a three-year deal with a $4 million cap hit for veteran Mattias Ekholm, the response from fans was notable. Fans liked the deal immediately.The contract takes him to 39, and there’s, of course, a full no-movement clause. However, Ekholm is a trusted veteran who plays at the top of the defence depth chart, and his performance for the Oilers over four seasons warranted the contract. In fact, it’s a bargain.Ekholm is an outstanding defenceman with a complete range of skills.The five-on-five numbersEkholm performs well in all areas, and in 2025-26, at 35, he had the highest expected goal share among Oilers defencemen while playing in all 82 regular-season games:PlayerGoal PctShot PctX-Goal PctMattias Ekholm565757Evan Bouchard565656Darnell Nurse445150Ty Emberson495148Connor Murphy505148Spencer Stastney394947Jake Walman415146All numbers five-on-five, via Natural Stat TrickEkholm has the calm feet of a veteran, the size and rugged demeanour to hold his own against all comers, and the speed to close a gap quickly. Despite his age, NHL Edge clocked him in the 72nd percentile during the regular season, and his ability to read the play is top drawer. He makes the Oilers better.The ability to make a crisp outlet pass that hits the tape of a teammate’s stick on the fly is another strength. That’s a vital part of the game, but an area of weakness for the Oilers last season. The veteran is money at making a pass.While playing at that high level, he also scored 1.39 points per 60, second on the team among defencemen (Evan Bouchard was at 1.88) and No. 18 among NHL defencemen in 2025-26. His patented move is a high, hard shot aimed at the top of the net, often delivered while driving down from the point in anticipation of a pass. It’s a highly effective wrinkle in the Oilers offence.