The NHL announced Monday that Ekblad has been suspended 20 games for violating the league's Performance Enhancing Substances Program.
Since the Panthers have just 18 games remaining on their schedule, Ekblad will miss the remainder of the regular season and the first two games of the postseason due to his suspension. Prior to his suspension, the 29-year-old had bounced back from a quiet 2023-24 campaign, as he recorded three goals, 30 assists, 90 hits, 64 blocked shots and 53 PIM while averaging 23:31 of ice time to begin the 2024-25 season. The Panthers will be forced to rely more upon new acquisition Seth Jones down the stretch, while Ekblad is slated to become an unrestricted free agent during the offseason.
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Panthers' Aaron Ekblad: Tallies power-play helper
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Ekblad registered a power-play assist, had two PIM, and provided three hits in Monday's 2-1 win against Tampa Bay.
Ekblad notched a secondary helper on Aleksander Barkov's go-ahead goal in the second period. The 29-year-old Ekblad is up to 28 assists, 31 points, 105 shots on goal and 88 hits in 54 games this season. With the recent acquisition of blueliner Seth Jones from Chicago, Ekblad gained some sizable competition for ice time with Florida's first power-play unit. Ekblad's assist Monday helps bolster his resume on the power play, where he has 10 of his 28 helpers this season. Jones joins the Panthers with 15 power-play points, but it seems as if Florida is placing its trust in the 11-year Panthers veteran Ekblad for the time being. While Ekblad is on the first-power play unit, he has decent value in standard fantasy formats.
Ekblad delivered an assist and four PIM in Saturday's 3-0 win over Calgary.
Ekblad is riding a three-game, four-assist scoring streak. He has 30 points, 27 helpers and 104 shots in 53 games this season. That puts him on pace to top the 40-point mark for the third time in his career. However, Ekblad's role on the top power-play unit could be at risk due to the arrival of Seth Jones in a trade with Chicago on Saturday.
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Panthers' Aaron Ekblad: Picks up two helpers
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Ekblad produced two assists in Thursday's 4-3 win over the Oilers.
The 29-year-old blueliner had a hand in Anton Lundell's second-period tally and Carter Verhaeghe's game-winner in the third. Ekblad had a slow start to the season and missed a big chunk of January with an upper-body injury, but since returning to the lineup, he's racked up a goal and nine points over 11 contests.
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Panthers' Aaron Ekblad: Garners helper in win
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Ekblad logged an assist and three shots on goal in Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Predators.
Ekblad has five helpers over nine contests since his last multi-point effort. The 29-year-old defenseman made his mark Tuesday by setting up defense partner Gustav Forsling for a goal in the third period. Ekblad is up to 27 points, 99 shots on net, 83 hits, 63 blocked shots, 43 PIM and a plus-9 rating through 51 appearances, nine points better than what he produced in the same number of games in the 2023-24 regular season.
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Panthers' Aaron Ekblad: Sets up empty-netter
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Ekblad logged an assist, three shots on goal, three blocked shots, two hits, two PIM and a plus-3 rating in Sunday's 6-3 win over the Islanders.
It was an all-around strong performance for Ekblad, who was rewarded with a helper on Matthew Tkachuk's empty-netter. Ekblad has earned five points over five contests since returning from an upper-body injury. The defenseman is up to 25 points, 88 shots, 69 hits, 59 blocks, 41 PIM and a plus-7 rating through 46 outings overall. He continues to provide good category coverage in a top-pairing role.
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Panthers' Aaron Ekblad: One of each in return
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Ekblad scored a goal and added a power-play assist in Saturday's 7-2 win over the Sharks.
Ekblad had missed eight of the last nine games due to an upper-body injury. He was able to ease back in Saturday, playing 18:50 in the blowout win. The defenseman resumed his roles on the first pairing and the power play. He had been held off the scoresheet in his last six outings, so fantasy managers will be optimistic to see him scoring right out the gate from his return. Ekblad has three goals, 22 points, 77 shots on net, 59 hits, 56 blocked shots, 39 PIM and a plus-5 rating over 43 appearances.
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Panthers' Aaron Ekblad: Good to go against Sharks
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Ekblad (upper body) will play Saturday against San Jose, according to Doug Plagens of the Panthers Radio Network.
Ekblad missed eight of the last nine games, including seven straight outings. He has registered two goals, 20 points, 76 shots on net, 55 blocked shots and 59 hits through 41 appearances this season. Ekblad will replace Uvis Balinskis or Tobias Bjornfot in Saturday's lineup.
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Panthers' Aaron Ekblad: Returns to practice
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Ekblad (upper body) practiced Friday and head coach Paul Maurice said "there's a chance" the defenseman plays Saturday versus the Sharks.
Ekblad was on the top pairing during the practice session, which is a good sign that he's close to a return. If he can't play Saturday, the Panthers are in action again Sunday versus the Golden Knights. Ekblad's return will likely lead to Tobias Bjornfot exiting the lineup.
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Panthers' Aaron Ekblad: Won't play Wednesday
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Ekblad (upper body) won't play Wednesday against the Kings but is making progress toward a return, Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site reports.
Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site reports Ekblad could join practice Friday, which potentially leaves the door open for the defenseman to play either Saturday in San Jose or Sunday in Vegas. His absence will reach seven consecutive games Wednesday, while Tobias Bjornfot continues to fill in on the blue line.
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Panthers' Aaron Ekblad: Remains out Tuesday
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Ekblad (upper body) will not be in the lineup versus Anaheim on Tuesday, Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site reports.
At this point, Ekblad should probably be considered a significant doubt to play Wednesday versus the Kings as well -- though he hasn't been officially ruled out. Even when healthy, the blueliner was struggling to produce, going six straight games without a point while contributing 11 shots, 10 hits and six blocks. Tobias Bjornfot figures to be dropped from the lineup once Ekblad is given the all-clear.
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Panthers' Aaron Ekblad: Making progress
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Ekblad (upper body) skated before Monday's practice and felt better than he thought he would, per Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site.
Ekblad has missed the last five games, and it remains unclear if he will play against Anaheim on Tuesday. Still, head coach Paul Maurice believes the 28-year-old defender will return during Florida's four-game road trip. Ekblad has generated two goals, 20 points, 76 shots on net, 55 blocked shots and 59 hits through 41 appearances this season. Tobias Bjornfot has been filling in on the blue line due to Ekblad's absence.
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Panthers' Aaron Ekblad: Not available Saturday
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Ekblad (undisclosed) will be out of the lineup versus Anaheim on Saturday, according to Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site.
Ekblad will miss his fifth consecutive game Saturday. Coach Paul Maurice expects Ekblad to return on their four-game road trip beginning Tuesday in Anaheim and ending Sunday in Vegas. Ekblad has two goals, 18 assists, 76 shots on goal, 59 hits and 55 blocked shots through 41 appearances this season.
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Panthers' Aaron Ekblad: Unavailable Thursday
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Ekblad (undisclosed) will not be in the lineup versus Detroit on Thursday, per Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald.
Ekblad will miss his fourth consecutive game. The 28-year-old defenseman could return Saturday against the Ducks, but if he is unable to go, head coach Paul Maurice said that he was "fairly confident" that Ekblad would be able to play at some point next week, when the Panthers are in California for three games. Ekblad has two goals and 18 assists over 41 appearances this season.
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Panthers' Aaron Ekblad: Set to miss next two games
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Ekblad (undisclosed) won't travel with the Panthers for the team's two-game road trip, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports Sunday.
Ekblad has missed two of the last three games. He won't play against Philadelphia on Monday and New Jersey on Tuesday. The Panthers will evaluate the 28-year-old defender when the team returns home ahead of Thursday's matchup versus Detroit. Ekblad has accounted for two goals, 20 points, 76 shots on net, 55 blocked shots and 59 hits through 41 appearances this season. Tobias Bjornfot and Adam Boqvist are options to fill in during Ekblad's absence.
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Panthers' Aaron Ekblad: Officially ruled out
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Ekblad (undisclosed) won't play Saturday against Boston, Colby Guy of The Palm Beach Post reports.
Ekblad will miss Saturday's contest after he appeared to aggravate an injury Wednesday against Utah. Tobias Bjornfot will remain in the lineup while Ekblad is sidelined.
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Panthers' Aaron Ekblad: Doubtful Saturday
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Per Colby Guy of The Palm Beach Post, coach Paul Maurice said that Ekblad (undisclosed) is doubtful for Saturday's encounter with Buffalo.
Ekblad missed Friday's practice. He played Wednesday in Utah but sat out the previous game in Colorado on Monday. Tobias Bjornfot could replace the 28-year-old Ekblad in Saturday's lineup.
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Panthers' Aaron Ekblad: Set to play Wednesday
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Ekblad (undisclosed) is expected to play versus Utah on Wednesday, Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site reports.
Ekblad was unavailable Monday versus the Avalanche, but it looks like that will be the extent of his absence. The 28-year-old defenseman took line rushes in warmups on the top pairing, and he should also feature on the power play in his return.
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Panthers' Aaron Ekblad: Deemed game-time decision
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Ekblad (undisclosed) is considered a game-time decision for Wednesday's matchup against Utah, Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site reports.
Ekblad missed Monday's road game against the Avalanche due to an undisclosed issue, and his status for Wednesday's game is up in the air. Head coach Paul Maurice said that Ekblad will go through pregame warmups Wednesday and will play if he feels good afterward. Over his last 15 appearances, Ekblad has logged a goal, six shots, 22 hits, 19 blocked shots and 12 PIM while averaging 23:55 of ice time.
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Panthers' Aaron Ekblad: Won't play in Colorado
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Ekblad (undisclosed) won't suit up in Monday's road game versus the Avalanche, per Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site.
Ekblad will miss his first game of the season Monday. Dmitry Kulikov will skate alongside Gustav Forsling on the No. 1 pair, and with Niko Mikkola (upper body) also unavailable, Tobias Bjornfot will make his 2024-25 debut. Ekblad's next chance to suit up will be Wednesday in Utah.
