Veteran defenceman expected to remain in Nashville past March 3rd's deadline

It seems like it's a yearly tradition leading up to the trade deadline to talk about Nashville Predators defenceman Mattias Ekholm. His name always pops up in trade rumours and despite contending teams being interested in him in recent years, he's opted to remain with the Preds and it sounds like it will be no different this season.

According to Paul Skrbina of The Tennessean, Ekholm is unlikely to be traded by the Predators because his family wants to remain in Nashville.

The Borlange (Sweden) native is in the first year of a four-year contract he signed with the Predators in the summer which sees him earn $6.25 million, but has no trade protection. The Predators are reportedly shopping the 32-year-old and have made him available.

In 45 games for the Predators this season, the 12-year veteran has 17 points (five goals, 12 assists), 16 penalty minutes and is a plus-two.

Image from PuckEmpire on Instagram

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