Sean Maloughney: Breaking Down Holland's Big Move

Go Leafs

Ekholm is arguably past his prime and has shown decline in recent years. I don't think it is a bad deal, but I also don't think it is realistic to believe he is going to be an elite dman either.

Ekholm is arguably past his prime and has shown decline in recent years. I don't think it is a bad deal, but I also don't think it is realistic to believe he is going to be an elite dman either.
- jfkst1

That awkward moment when you think 32 is past your prime. You realize that was the exact same age of Chris Pronger when we acquired him right? I wish anyone who commented here had a clue.

What a waste of assets. So disappointed that this is what Holland managed to get done. Ekholm is on the downside of his career on a bloated contract. How did he not get another team to eat part of the salary like just about every GM adding to their roster has done? This clown actually took on more salary. And yes I know Nashville retained $250,000. That’s nothing. With 2- 1st rounders wasted, and us still in cap trouble, it’s tough to see this team competing for a cup at any point. This deal will only get worse as Ekholm will most likely decline with every year left on the contract. This also almost assuredly means that come this summer, we will have to be shedding more salary as McLeod, Kostin, and Bouchard will all be needing raises and we will have no cap room to work with yet again. At least we’re still paying James Neal for two more years though so we’re not completely blowing cap space on nothing…I hate all of you rah rah Hollands great people. Wasting assets and cap room is a good way to ensure McDavid never wins a cup.

Ekholm is arguably past his prime and has shown decline in recent years. I don't think it is a bad deal, but I also don't think it is realistic to believe he is going to be an elite dman either.
- jfkst1

Pray tell what signs of decline are you referring to? His offensive output has taken a small dip over the past few years but that is also in large part due to Josi becoming the defacto offensive zone presence. Defensively Ekholm has remained very consistent and his lack of injuries is another promising factor. But I would be very interested in the numbers you are referring to.

That awkward moment when you think 32 is past your prime. You realize that was the exact same age of Chris Pronger when we acquired him right? I wish anyone who commented here had a clue.
- ALEDDO

When your numbers decline when you are 32 years old you’re not past your prime, and when you get selected with a 1st round draft pick 6 months ago you’re not a 1st round pick. That’s some stunning insights you have there being the only one around here with a clue. Suck it.

Ekholm is basically the exact piece the Oilers needed. I'm not sold on the price but hey, you kinda have to go in as hard as you can when you have McDavid playing like he is.

I think your general hatred of Barrie is clouding your judgement for this trade a tiny bit.

Ultimately I agree this is a good trade but it has concerns and I think he should have gotten more retention. For Holland its a good trade but not one that I think is amazing for the Oilers. Hopefully turns out that way tho.

Barrie has been excellent under Woody. Absolutely excellent, albeit in a sheltered gravy role.

Ekholm is getting a bit long in the tooth and while it is a minor concern there are many examples of good defenders being good through 36+. A minor gamble...

One I wouldn't have taken myself. For cap reasons and age reasons I am surprised Holland couldn't have gotten a similar deal done with Arizona. That might be on him or them but Ekholm is a solid consolation prize.

Holland made the big move when it was time to make the big move. Well done.

Maybe another deal still to be done before the deadline.

That awkward moment when you think 32 is past your prime. You realize that was the exact same age of Chris Pronger when we acquired him right? I wish anyone who commented here had a clue.
- ALEDDO

I agree. I'd wager most NHL fans, players, and league executives would consider having you committed for comparing an all time great like Pronger to Ekholm.

What a waste of assets. So disappointed that this is what Holland managed to get done. Ekholm is on the downside of his career on a bloated contract. How did he not get another team to eat part of the salary like just about every GM adding to their roster has done? This clown actually took on more salary. And yes I know Nashville retained $250,000. That’s nothing. With 2- 1st rounders wasted, and us still in cap trouble, it’s tough to see this team competing for a cup at any point. This deal will only get worse as Ekholm will most likely decline with every year left on the contract. This also almost assuredly means that come this summer, we will have to be shedding more salary as McLeod, Kostin, and Bouchard will all be needing raises and we will have no cap room to work with yet again. At least we’re still paying James Neal for two more years though so we’re not completely blowing cap space on nothing…I hate all of you rah rah Hollands great people. Wasting assets and cap room is a good way to ensure McDavid never wins a cup.
- Ihatebrianburke

With the amount of goals the Oil score they should be at or near the top of the league. Losing 6-5 and 7-6 all the time, this team was not taking that next step in the playoffs.

You gotta make a decision at some point to go for it and make the big trade even if an overpay. Ekholm checks off so many important boxes where this team was struggling. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at how much he helps their defensive game.

What a waste of assets. So disappointed that this is what Holland managed to get done. Ekholm is on the downside of his career on a bloated contract. How did he not get another team to eat part of the salary like just about every GM adding to their roster has done? This clown actually took on more salary. And yes I know Nashville retained $250,000. That’s nothing. With 2- 1st rounders wasted, and us still in cap trouble, it’s tough to see this team competing for a cup at any point. This deal will only get worse as Ekholm will most likely decline with every year left on the contract. This also almost assuredly means that come this summer, we will have to be shedding more salary as McLeod, Kostin, and Bouchard will all be needing raises and we will have no cap room to work with yet again. At least we’re still paying James Neal for two more years though so we’re not completely blowing cap space on nothing…I hate all of you rah rah Hollands great people. Wasting assets and cap room is a good way to ensure McDavid never wins a cup.

He got Nashville to take Barrie. Hint: Nashville doesn't even remotely need Barrie.

Excellent move, and exactly what the Oilers needed, instead of waiting for next year every year. Schaefer & a 1st weren't going to help McDavid & Draisaitl win a cup. Not the video game trade some people here demand, and not the hfboards trade others here demand(lots of overlap between the 2), but a trade that fills a need without creating a new one. Oilers are instantly a better team.

When the Oilers are taken out early in the playoffs don't blame Holland, He's an elderly good ole boy retread and the Oilers hired him. The subpar job that Holland has done thus far is about what you'd expect from him.

Ekholm was needed a lot more than Chychrun. Finally gonna get klefbom off ltir don’t need to be adding a bandaid that keeps us locked into ltir for the next few years

That awkward moment when you think 32 is past your prime. You realize that was the exact same age of Chris Pronger when we acquired him right? I wish anyone who commented here had a clue.
- ALEDDO

We comparing Ekholm to Pronger to try and state the age curve is a myth?

Best part is Pronger's only Norris was at the age of 25 which happens to be during the peak stage of the age curve.

We comparing Ekholm to Pronger to try and state the age curve is a myth?

Best part is Pronger's only Norris was at the age of 25 which happens to be during the peak stage of the age curve.
- Feds91Stammer

Yeahhh….but that’s not to say Pronger went downhill after 25…he just played in a League with Chara, Lidstrom and Neidermeyer.

Nice writeup, however the oilers need more than Ekholm to fix their defensive woes. Watching this team play the past couple seaosns under both Tippett and Woodcroft, they still haven't adapted to any kind of system inside their own blueline.
I'm intrigued reading how many think this is a great heist by Holland. For those of you with the illusion that Ekholm is the second coming of Christ will be sadly disappointed. Big overpay by Holland and that 6.25 is going to come back and bite this team

Nice writeup, however the oilers need more than Ekholm to fix their defensive woes. Watching this team play the past couple seaosns under both Tippett and Woodcroft, they still haven't adapted to any kind of system inside their own blueline.
I'm intrigued reading how many think this is a great heist by Holland. For those of you with the illusion that Ekholm is the second coming of Christ will be sadly disappointed. Big overpay by Holland and that 6.25 is going to come back and bite this team
- shanerationX

I’ll reserve judgement till after the playoffs, and really, so should you.

Hey ihatebrianburke, Go f6n cheer for someone else then. What a bunch of garbage you wrote.

Honkytonkman- sure thing- look me up after the first round.

Kulak > McCabe
Ekholm > Reilly

Hey ihatebrianburke, Go f6n cheer for someone else then. What a bunch of garbage you wrote.
- JLO961

He’s been posting garbage for years.

Honkytonkman- sure thing- look me up after the first round.
- shanerationX

No thanks, fruitcake, I like Women.

He’s been posting garbage for years.
- HonkyTonkMan

So has J-Lo.