• HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • Site Index
  • NHL Salary Caps
  • Hockey 101: A Beginner’s Guide
  • Join Our Team
  • Free Newsletter
  • Store
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
Home
International Hockey

Could Mattias Ekholm Crack Sweden’s World Cup Roster?

By Colin Fitts March 3rd, 2016

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Sweden, along with the seven other teams participating in the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, announced its 16-player preliminary roster Monday.

The strength in Sweden’s roster is the defense which includes Oliver Ekman-Larsson (Arizona Coyotes), Victor Hedman (Tampa Bay Lightning), Nicklas Hjalmarsson (Chicago Blackhawks), Erik Karlsson (Ottawa Senators), Niklas Kronwall (Detroit Red Wings) and Anton Stralman (Tampa Bay).

With the seventh spot likely going to 24-year-old John Klingberg of the Dallas Stars, that leaves the eighth spot up for grabs among six other defenders — Jonas Brodin (Minnesota Wild), Alex Edler (Vancouver Canucks), Tobias Enstrom (Winnipeg Jets), Hampus Lindholm (Anaheim Ducks), Johnny Oduya (Dallas) and Mattias Ekholm (Nashville Predators).

That decision must be made by Jun. 1, when the full 23-man roster must be announced.

http://gty.im/473332554

Of the six defensemen listed, the least notable is Ekholm. But that does not necessarily mean he is the least likely.

This season, the 25-year-old has developed into the complete player the Predators have been hoping for. Ekholm is in the midst of a career year, scoring a career-high 28 points (seven goals, 21 assists) through 64 games this season.

Ekholm has proven to be a reliable two-way defenseman. The reason it took so long for Ekholm to hit the next level is because of Seth Jones. Once Jones was traded, it allowed Ekholm to have more ice time in all situations, especially on the power play.

With Jones, Ekholm’s average even ice time per game, power play ice time, and shorthanded ice time was 16:44, 0:09 and 1:23, respectively. Without Jones, Ekholm’s times have risen to 17:40, 2:13 and 2:13, respectively.

In comparison to other Swedish defensemen in the league, he ranks sixth in scoring and fifth in shot attempts (168).

Ekholm won bronze medals for Sweden at the 2010 World Junior Championship and 2014 World Championship. He also represented Sweden at the 2015 World Championship.

If experience is the determining factor, Ekholm will be on the short end of the stick to Edler or Oduya, who both played for Sweden at the 2014 Olympics. If the selection committee wants a defenseman that is flashy, Ekholm will be looked over, too. However, if Team Sweden wants a reliable, smart two-way defender with size, Ekholm is their guy.

Colin Fitts is a Nashville Predators staff writer for The Hockey Writers. You can follow Colin on Twitter, @FittsTHW, and e-mail him at 22fitts@gmail.com.

  • Tags
  • Mattias Ekholm
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Get theScore App Now!
Recent Posts
Jan 26th 5:05 PM
Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks Unlikely to Call Up Former Fan Favourite Darling

Jan 26th 4:40 PM
Archives

The NHL’s Best Farm Systems Ranked – 2020-21 Season Update

Jan 26th 4:32 PM
Archives

Jimmy Howard’s Red Wings Legacy

Jan 26th 4:25 PM
Pittsburgh Penguins

Penguins Not Playing to Full Potential in Comeback Wins

Jan 26th 4:15 PM
Colorado Avalanche

Mediocre Avalanche Road Trip Plagued by Inconsistency

Jan 26th 4:05 PM
Buffalo Sabres

Sabres Coach Ralph Krueger is a Jack of All Trades

Jan 26th 3:55 PM
Vegas Golden Knights

Golden Knights’ Cap Issues Look Less Problematic After 6 Games

Jan 26th 3:45 PM
Women's Hockey

Metropolitan Riveters Impress In Lake Placid With Undefeated Weekend

Jan 26th 3:25 PM
Column

Prospects News & Rumors: Kravtsov, Bracco & ECHL

Jan 26th 3:15 PM
Commentary

NHL Should Eliminate the Shootout & Finish Games With 3-on-3 Overtime

Editor’s Picks
Wayne Gretzky - The Great One's 10 Most Unbreakable Records

Wayne Gretzky - The Great One's 10 Most Unbreakable Records

Test Your Wayne Gretzky Knowledge With Our Quiz

Test Your Wayne Gretzky Knowledge With Our Quiz

Masthead

Newsletters

RSS Feeds

Privacy Statement

Contact Us

About THW…

Founded in 2009, The Hockey Writers is a premier destination for news and information on everything hockey. Updated daily with news and features from over 130 writers worldwide. Over 2 million monthly readers now come to THW for their hockey fix.

© The Hockey Writers 2020. All rights reserved.
logo
  • HOME
  • Hockey Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • North Division
    • Calgary Flames
    • Edmonton Oilers
    • Montreal Canadiens
    • Ottawa Senators
    • Toronto Maple Leafs
    • Vancouver Canucks
    • Winnipeg Jets
  • East Division
    • Boston Bruins
    • Buffalo Sabres
    • New Jersey Devils
    • New York Islanders
    • New York Rangers
    • Philadelphia Flyers
    • Pittsburgh Penguins
    • Washington Capitals
  • Central Division
    • Carolina Hurricanes
    • Chicago Blackhawks
    • Columbus Blue Jackets
    • Dallas Stars
    • Detroit Red Wings
    • Florida Panthers
    • Nashville Predators
    • Tampa Bay Lightning
  • West Division
    • Anaheim Ducks
    • Arizona Coyotes
    • Colorado Avalanche
    • Los Angeles Kings
    • Minnesota Wild
    • San Jose Sharks
    • Seattle Kraken
    • St Louis Blues
    • Vegas Golden Knights
  • World Juniors
  • CHL
    • Ontario Hockey League
    • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
    • Western Hockey League
  • THW Podcast Network
  • Store
  • FREE Newsletter
  • Search THW
  • More…
    • Join Our Team
    • The THW Archives
    • Prospects
    • The Goalie Page
    • NHL Salary Cap Information