When the Edmonton Oilers take to the ice for the first day of training camp, they will be doing it without defenceman Mattias Ekholm.
The veteran defenceman is dealing with a hip flexor, which will keep him out the first few days of on-ice sessions at least, general manager Ken Holland told reporters on Wednesday.
With Ekholm sidelined, Holland said Philip Broberg is expected to see more reps in his place.
Ekholm says that sitting out of the star of camp is "more maintenance" than anything and the team wants to "play it safe."
Edmonton acquired the 33-year-old from the Nashville Predators in exchange for defenceman Tyson Barrie, prospect Reid Schaefer, and a first-round pick in 2023 and a fourth-round pick in 2024.
Ekholm provided some much-needed stability and leadership on the Oilers blue-line, skating in 21 games and registering 14 points while averaging 20:47 of ice time. In 12 Stanley Cup Playoff games, Ekholm averaged 21:53 of ice time, scoring a goal and seven points.
Broberg played in 46 games last season and put up eight points while averaging 12:36 of ice time and also appeared in nine games during the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
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