Is Aaron Ekblad Better Than Mattias Ekholm? NHL Stats Decide

This is as close as it gets. Aaron Ekblad and Mattias Ekholm split the statistical categories evenly — 3 apiece — making this one of the most genuinely contested D comparisons in NHL history. When the numbers are this balanced, the debate comes down to which statistics matter most to you.

Mattias Ekholm's Plus/Minus of 221 compared to Aaron Ekblad's 91 represents a 142.9% advantage — dramatically better than their counterpart in this critical category. It is the single most decisive number in this comparison and the clearest statistical argument for Mattias Ekholm's edge.

The most competitive category in this matchup is Points, where Aaron Ekblad posts 406 against Mattias Ekholm's 401 — a gap of just 1.2%. Mattias Ekholm can point to this as evidence that the overall comparison is closer than the final 3-3 tally suggests. In any debate, Points is the statistical ammunition for the Mattias Ekholm side.

Defensive play in the NHL is measured through a combination of offensive contribution and plus/minus rating. Elite defensemen contribute points while anchoring their team's defensive structure — a balance that defines the position's greatest players.

With categories split evenly, this comparison ultimately comes down to which statistics matter most to you. Mattias Ekholm claims the tiebreaker through Plus/Minus advantage — a 142.9% edge — but reasonable people can, and do, argue both sides of this NHL debate.