A curious second throughout the Edmonton Oilers’ current recreation in opposition to the New York Rangers has followers speaking, with Sportsnet analysts questioning what seemed to be a heated alternate between defenseman Mattias Ekholm and ahead Kasperi Kapanen. It appeared clear there was a difficulty, however nobody appeared to grasp why.
The incident occurred after Kapanen registered his first help as an Oiler, contributing to a Connor McDavid objective alongside Evan Bouchard. As an alternative of becoming a member of in on the celebration, Ekholm appeared to drag Kapanen apart and ship some stern phrases.
EDM NYR G22. November 23, 2024. Connor McDavid objective. 5-1 EDM. ?: Sportsnet pic.twitter.com/UtSXJQHmpq
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The Sportsnet panel speculated that Ekholm might need been critiquing Kapanen for a dangerous play main as much as the objective. Particularly, they urged the veteran defenseman might need seen Kapanen’s go as a high-danger transfer that would have backfired. Whereas Ekholm’s physique language urged frustration, others identified that the second might simply have been misinterpreted. Was Ekholm upset, or was he providing a mixture of constructive criticism and encouragement?
What was clear is that Ekholm didn’t look blissful. On the identical time, Kapanen didn’t react with a shocked look on his face or one which urged he was returning the sternness of the alternate.
What Was The Ekholm and Kapanen Discuss About?
Followers on social media have been break up. Some believed Sportsnet was studying an excessive amount of right into a second meaning nothing on an in any other case nice play. “It’s simply as possible Ekholm was congratulating Kapanen in his personal intense means,” one fan famous, including that Ekholm’s management type typically blends robust love with real assist.
The timing of Ekholm’s actions raised eyebrows, because it appeared odd to critique a participant instantly following a profitable objective. The go itself was a magnificence, one which McDavid acknowledged when he pointed to each Bouchard and Kapanen after the objective. If there was a difficulty, it’s logical to imagine it was not on that individual offensive play.
Ekholm does have a repute as a trash-talker and a vocal chief. It’s doable he was merely making certain that Kapanen understood that an excellent play doesn’t negate a questionable one from a special play or earlier within the sequence. If he was treating it as a coachable second, that’s not a nasty factor.
Whatever the context, the incident underscores the fervour and excessive requirements Ekholm brings to the workforce. We could by no means know what that interplay with Kapanen was actually about, however the concept these two might need a beef now looks like a stretch.
Knoblauch instructed the media on Monday that he has been pleased with Kapanen and this was a participant the Oilers had an curiosity in earlier than they claimed him on waivers.
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