Mattias Ekholm has been having health issues as of late, and the latest update from Kris Knoblauch doesn't make it seem like it's getting any better. The Edmonton Oilers are just 1-5-0 in their last six games as their struggles have continued coming out of the Four Nations break, and unfortunately, it just seems as though they can't catch a break right now. While Mattias Ekholm has been on the ice during that time, he's not been at his very best, tallying just three points and a -7 differential in six games since the break, and now, the Oilers coach has given an update on his status. A little time off, maintenance. We're debating whether it's best for him to come back right away & play or something that we've done with other players, maybe a couple days rest will be good for him. <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/edmontonoilers/status/1897393920478421491'> </a></blockquote></div> On the bright side however, it appears that it's not an injury, as further reports have confirmed that Ekholm has been feeling ill since before the Four Nations, a tournament where he represented Sweden in all three games, and since that point, he just hasn't been feeling right. <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/dnbsports/status/1897383637601133016'> </a></blockquote></div> With the team sitting four points back of the Vegas Golden Knights in the Pacific Division race, they need Ekholm at 100% down the stretch heading into the Stanley Cup Playoffs, so perhaps shutting him down and giving him time to recover is the right move. With just over a month left on the schedule, now is not the time for Edmonton to be taking risks, so if they believe that Ekholm needs a break, now is the time to take it. The Stanley Cup Playoffs are grueling, and if they want to go a step further than they did in 2024, the Oilers need everyone as close to 100% as possible.