Mattias Ekholm was back on the ice Monday, participating in full practice with the Edmonton Oilers.
A surprising development considering he thought his season might have ended weeks ago. Now, the veteran defenseman is eyeing a potential return during the Western Conference Final against the Dallas Stars.
“I feel good, I didn’t think I was going to be in this position this quickly, so I’m really happy about that,” Ekholm said. “Our trainers have done a tremendous job with me, and the healing has gone better than I thought. But still, I’m just trying to take it day by day.”
The Oilers open the best-of-seven series Wednesday night at American Airlines Arena in Dallas, and Ekholm’s participation in Monday’s full-team session is a positive sign. Still, no timeline has been confirmed for his return.
“Today was the first time with the team on the ice in a full practice and I thought it went pretty well and now it’s a matter of how I feel tomorrow,” he noted.
Ekholm, 34, has been sidelined since April 11 after attempting a return from an earlier injury.
In that game, he managed just three shifts and played less than two minutes before exiting. At the time, it was believed he would miss the entire postseason.
“It’s a tough diagnosis to get at the time,” Ekholm admitted. “I’m 35 soon (May 24) and still healing, so I guess that’s a good thing and I’m happy to be here now. I can’t rule anything out, I’m trying to be on a day-to-day basis and I’m happy that I’ve come this far.”
Head coach Kris Knoblauch hasn’t confirmed whether Ekholm will travel with the team to Dallas, and the expectation is that he won’t play in the first two games.
Nonetheless, Knoblauch praised the defensive corps for their performances in Ekholm’s absence.
