After returning to practice this afternoon Mattias Ekholm spoke to the media for the first time in a month and addressed his health. Earlier today, <a href='https://www.hockeylatest.com/nhl-team/edmonton-oilers/mattias-ekholm-takes-major-step-toward-return-for-game-1-of-western-conference-finals' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Mattias Ekholm was seen at full team practice</a> for the first time since early April. This return for Ekholm was expected at some point during the Western Conference Finals but by all accounts he is potentially ahead of schedule. With Ekholm's status for Game 1 still up in the air he decided to speak to the media and talk about his health and potential return. <h3>Mattias Ekholm Addresses The Media After Returning To Practice</h3> During the interview, Ekholm was of course asked how he feels and if he could potentially return for Game 1. I feel good but I didn't think I would be in this position this quick. Our trainers have done a tremendous job with me. It's going better than I thought but still trying to take it day by day. While Ekholm felt good today he knows how he is feeling tomorrow is the more important factor to consider when determining when he will return. It's a matter of how I'm feeling tomorrow I can't rule anything out or rule anything in right now. I'm trying to be on a day to day basis and I'm just happy that I have come this far along. Ekholm then admits the initial diagnosis of his injury was supposed to cost him his entire season. Yes that was the case. Tough diagnosis to get at the time but I'll be 35 soon and I'm still healing so I guess that's a good thing. Happy to be here now. <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/EdmontonOilers/status/1924537208414847307'><div style='border:1px solid #CCCCCC;border-radius:10px;padding:20px;width:300px;'>Loading from Twitter ...</div></a></blockquote></div> Regardless of whether Ekholm returns in Game 1 or later in the series his return in general will be a great sight to see for the Edmonton Oilers. Hopefully, for the Oilers he feels good again tomorrow and then it will be up to the medical staff and head coach Kris Knoblauch to take the reigns off of Ekholm and let him get back into game action. As more reports surface regarding Ekholm's health and potential return, we will pass the latest news along to you.