Ken Holland Prepares Oilers Fans For The Stanley Cup?
Leading up to the NHL trade deadline, rumors were swirling about how the Edmonton Oilers would improve their team. Some suggested pursuing Jacob Chychrun from the Arizona Coyotes as a possible upgrade on defense, while others felt that the Oilers would try to acquire Erik Karlsson from the San Jose Sharks.
However, neither of these trades happened, and instead, the Oilers picked up Mattias Ekholm from the Nashville Predators. While the Oilers do miss Tyson Barrie, who was traded to the Predators, Ekholm has proven to be a much more reliable option for the team. At six-foot-four and 215 pounds, he has settled in nicely with the team and given them the boost they needed in their defense corps.
After the trade was made, a video was taken of general manager Ken Holland chatting with Ekholm about his family, including his pregnant wife and their due date. Holland quipped about the due date being "after the parade," which both men found amusing.
Currently, the Oilers are in fourth place in the Western Conference with 95 points, and they are only three points behind the Vegas Golden Knights for the top spot in the West. If their strong play continues and their top point-getters keep rolling, the Oilers could make a deep run in the playoffs and contend for the Cup.
While Oilers fans wait to see where the team finishes and who they will face in the first round, they can take comfort in the fact that Ekholm has helped solidify their defense and put them in a strong position for postseason success.
| POLL | ||
Do you think the Oilers will win the cup? | ||
| Yes | 58 | 84.1 % |
| No | 11 | 15.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
