Ekholm missed Saturday's game vs. Dallas with an illness but it looks like he will play tonight in New York. Ekholm, who will replace Matt Irwin on the blueline, has four goals and 11 assists (15 points) in 30 games this season.
Ekholm was a late scratch from Thursday’s lineup in Philadelphia but will play today in Boston. Ekholm has three goals and 19 assists (22 points) in 35 games this season.
Ekholm is coming off of a two-assist performance vs. the Islanders on Saturday, but left yesterday’s practice with an apparent upper-body/rib injury. There was no word on how serious the injury is and if he will even miss any time, but monitor his status during Wednesday’s morning skate.
Ekholm has one goal and two assists in eight games this season. He is not usually known for producing offensively, having recorded just 30 points (9G / 21A) in 153 career games.
Ekholm has missed the last two games with an upper-body injury, but will be back in tonight vs. the Devils. Ekholm is expected to be paired with Victor Bartley. Ekholm has five goals, eight assists (13 points) and a plus-10 rating in 53 games this season.
Ekholm missed Tuesday’s game vs. Tampa Bay, but his presence for the morning skate suggests that he might return tonight vs. the Jets. Monitor his status after the morning skate.
Ekholm suffered and upper-body injury in the Predators win over the Panthers on Sunday. His absence from the morning skate suggests that Ekholm will not be in the lineup tonight vs. the Lightning. With Ekholm out, Anthony Bitetto will be in the lineup.
In the second period, Ekholm was injured went into the boards hard and was forced to leave the game. With Ryan Ellis already out, the Predators can’t afford to lose Ekholm too. Expect an update on his status on Monday.
Ekholm was a minus-3 in the Predators last two games - a minus-4 on the season. He had actually replaced Seth Jones on the top pair in Friday's contest but was moved back on Saturday. Ekholm has four assists in 17 games, and likely won't be a healthy scratch for long.
Ekholm will probably take the place of defenseman Kevin Klein, who has what Predators coach Barry Trotz called a “below the neck” injury. The last time Ekholm wore a Predators sweater was Oct. 20, 2011.
Ekholm is not expected to have any fantasy relevance.
Ekholm loses all of his immediate fantasy hockey value by returning to the SEL.
Although coach Trotz hedged on his earlier comments regarding Ekholm, it likely means he draws out of the lineup the next time the Preds hit the ice. For the most part, the Swedish defender remains on the roster because of his options overseas. Jack Hillen probably becomes the sixth defenseman as Ekholm gets his feet wet in a smaller rink.
Ekblom could fill in for Teemu Laakso on the blue line tonight. Last season he scored 10 goals and 33 points through 55 games with Brynas IF Gavle of the SEL. He could boost the team's offense from the third defensive pairing.
Ekholm sticks in the NHL as a bottom-pairing defender. Last season he scored 10 goals and 33 points through 55 games with Brynas IF Gavle of the SEL. Look for him to get his feet wet at the NHL level.
