Predators' Mattias Ekholm: Seeing more ice time in 2016-17

Ekholm has just a single assist through four games this season.

Analysis:

True, Ekholm hasn't contributed much in the early going thus far. However, he's seeing more ice time compared to last year (24:02 vs. 20:15) and he's shooting the puck more (2.0 shots per game vs. 1.4 last year). If sustained, those two factors alone should lead to higher offensive totals this season. For now, Ekholm remains entrenched as a top-four defenseman for the Preds, and should be owned in almost all medium to deep fantasy formats.