Should Oilers’ Ekholm Trade a Healthy Playoffs For Olympics?

Mattias Ekholm’s recent hat trick may have turned heads in Edmonton, but it wasn’t enough to change Team Sweden’s Olympic plans. For the second time, the veteran Oilers defenseman was passed over as Sweden finalized a couple of injury replacements for the 2026 Winter Games, opting instead for Hampus Lindholm.

To Ekholm, the snub probably feels a little painful. With Sweden losing key contributors like Leo Carlsson and Jonas Brodin, Ekholm appeared to be a potentially logical replacement. Given he’d just scored a hat trick on Monday, the timing is somewhat ironic.

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He continues to play top-pairing minutes for the Oilers, is pacing toward a 40-point season, and still grades out well analytically. Add in his recent offensive outburst, and there’s a strong argument that Ekholm could have helped Sweden immediately.

What About His Health and the Oilers Playoffs?

However, there’s another side to the decision — one that may ultimately benefit Edmonton. Ekholm has dealt with health issues over the past two seasons, and his workload has clearly taken a toll. When he participated in the 4 Nations Face-Off last year, he returned to the Oilers looking worn down and struggled to regain his form. By the time the playoffs arrived, he was a shadow of himself. It was a massive hit for the Oilers.

From that perspective, the Olympic snub may be a blessing in disguise. As a top-pairing defenseman who is a little long in the tooth, the Oilers will need Ekholm at full strength for a deep playoff run. Avoiding the grind of international play could help ensure he’s healthy when it matters most.

Still, it’s hard to ignore the disappointment. Some people might argue that the Olympics and playing for one’s country are bigger than the NHL playoffs. For Ekholm, this would be his last chance to participate and help Team Sweden.

Ekholm has done enough to warrant consideration, and being left off twice stings. Whether fair or not, Sweden’s decision shifts the focus back to Edmonton — where a rested Ekholm could make the biggest impact of all.

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