In this episode of Locked On Oilers, host Nick Zararis breaks down the two franchise-shifting moves that turned the Edmonton Oilers from a solid playoff team into a legitimate Stanley Cup contender the free-agent signing of Zach Hyman and the trade for Mattias Ekholm.

We analyze how Zach Hyman’s transition from the Toronto Maple Leafs to playing alongside Connor McDavid transformed his game, doubled his shot totals, and gave the Oilers one of the NHL’s most relentless net-front presences. Then, we dive deep into how Mattias Ekholm’s defensive stability unlocked Evan Bouchard’s offensive potential, creating one of the league’s most reliable top defensive pairings.

Plus, we discuss what the Edmonton Oilers can learn from these moves going forward, the importance of surrounding McDavid and Leon Draisaitl with the right complementary players, and why roster fit matters just as much as raw talent when chasing the Stanley Cup.

15:51 Ekholm-Bouchard pairing's statistical impact

26:33 Future moves to maintain contender status

How Zach Hyman & Mattias Ekholm Made the Edmonton Oilers Stanley Cup Contenders

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