The Panthers are back in the Stanley Cup Final after losing in the title round last year
It's not exactly uncommon for a team that gets a championship shot and falls short one year to say that it'll be back the nextJUNE 2 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
AARON EKBLAD #5 - DEFENSE - FLORIDA PANTHERS
0 G •
8 A •
1.30 S/G
0 G
8 A
1.30 S/G
NHL
Avalanche
COL
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Panthers
FLA
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Snags helper in win Ekblad recorded an assist in Thursday's 3-2 victory over the Rangers in Game 5.
Impact Ekblad was able to bring his six-game pointless streak to a close with his helper Thursday but remains mired in a 29-game goal drought dating back to Feb. 20 versus the Senators. While the blueliner should continue to register plenty of hits and blocks in the postseason, fantasy players probably shouldn't be banking on him suddenly finding an offensive upside.
MAY 31 • ROTOWIRE
Pockets helper in win Ekblad notched a shorthanded assist, eight hits, two PIM and a plus-2 rating in Monday's 6-1 win over the Lightning in Game 5.
Impact Ekblad set up the first of Aleksander Barkov's two goals in the game. Through five playoff contests, Ekblad has two helpers, six shots on net, 25 hits, nine blocked shots and a plus-4 rating. The 28-year-old continues to handle a heavy workload on the Panthers' top pairing, though he sees minimal power-play time.
APRIL 30 • ROTOWIRE
Will be ready for Game 1 Ekblad (undisclosed) won't play in Tuesday's regular-season finale against Toronto, but he'll be ready to rock for Game 1 of Florida's upcoming first-round playoff series, Jameson...
Impact Ekblad will return to his usual top-four role once postseason play gets underway. He's picked up just 18 points through 51 games in what's been a disappointing season from an offensive standpoint for the 28-year-old defender.
APRIL 16 • ROTOWIRE
Likely out until playoffs Ekblad (undisclosed) is likely to miss the rest of the regular season, David Dwork of The Hockey News reports.
Impact Even though Ekblad is slated to sit out the final five games of the 2023-24 campaign, he is projected to be available for Florida's playoff opener. Ekblad is poised to finish the season with four goals, 18 points, 98 shots on net, 59 blocked shots and 85 hits in 51 appearances.
APRIL 5 • ROTOWIRE
Panthers D Aaron Ekblad (undisclosed) likely out until playoffs Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad will likely miss the rest of the regular season with an undisclosed injury, but Florida coach Paul Maurice...
APRIL 4 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM
Panthers D Aaron Ekblad (undisclosed) likely out until playoffs Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad will likely miss the rest of the regular season with an undisclosed injury, but Florida coach Paul Maurice...
APRIL 4 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM
Out Thursday Ekblad (undisclosed) will miss Thursday's game against the Senators.
Impact Ekblad's injury is unknown but the veteran defenseman should be ready for game one of the playoffs head coach Paul Maurice stated. The 28-year-old has played in 51 games this season, recording four goals and 14 assists to go along with 98 shots on goal. He will look to help the Panthers to another deep playoff run.
APRIL 4 • ROTOWIRE
Exits Tuesday's contest Ekblad (undisclosed) won't return to Tuesday's game versus the Canadiens, George Richards of Florida Hockey Now reports.
Impact Ekblad saw just 7:16 of ice time in this contest. He recently returned from a lower-body injury that cost him seven contests, but the Panthers didn't elaborate on why he exited Tuesday's game. If he can't play Thursday versus the Senators, Josh Mahura or Tobias Bjornfot would draw into the lineup.
APRIL 3 • ROTOWIRE
Heavy workload in return Ekblad (lower body) failed to record a point in 22:13 of ice time during Thursday's 3-2 loss to the Islanders.
Impact Returning from a seven-game absence caused by a collision with Vladimir Tarasenko, Ekblad saw his usual workload and was leaned on heavily on the penalty kill, seeing 7:47 with Florida down a man. It's been a tough season overall for the 28-year-old blueliner, who has only four goals and 17 points in 48 games, but with the Panthers having already clinched a playoff spot, Ekblad will use the final weeks of the regular season to try and regain his top form.
MARCH 29 • ROTOWIRE
Returning to action Thursday Ekblad (lower body) will be back in the lineup versus the Islanders on Thursday, according to George Richards of Florida Hockey Now.
Impact Ekblad sat out seven games with the injury. Ekblad missed the first 16 games of the season, recovering from offseason shoulder surgery, and has struggled offensively. The 28-year-old blueliner has only four goals and 17 points in 47 games. If he is unable to pick up the pace, he will miss hitting double-digits in goals for only the second time in 10 years. Ekblad will line up alongside Gustav Forsling on the blue line and should see some second-unit power-play time.
MARCH 28 • ROTOWIRE
Inching closer to return Ekblad (lower body) is "close" to returning, but coach Paul Maurice wants the defender to log at least two "heavy practices" before rejoining the lineup, Jameson Olive of the Panth...
Impact Ekblad will miss a seventh straight contest Tuesday against Boston, but it sounds like he could be ready to return sooner rather than later. The 28-year-old vet has had a down year from an offensive standpoint, picking up just 17 points through 47 contests.
MARCH 26 • ROTOWIRE
Panthers D Aaron Ekblad sidelined at least two weeks Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad will be sidelined at least two weeks with a lower-body injury.He will be considered day-to-day afte...
MARCH 11 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM
Set to miss at least two weeks Ekblad (lower body) will be unavailable for at least two weeks and he'll be considered day-to-day afterward, according to Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site.
Impact Ekblad was injured in a collision with teammate Vladimir Tarasenko in Saturday's 5-1 win over Calgary. The 28-year-old Ekblad has four goals, 17 points, 94 shots on net, 55 blocked shots and 78 hits in 47 games this season. Josh Mahura is expected to draw into the lineup during Ekblad's absence, while Oliver Ekman-Larsson will slot in alongside Gustav Forsling.
MARCH 11 • ROTOWIRE
Sustains lower-body injury Ekblad won't return to Saturday's game against Calgary due to a lower-body injury.
Impact Ekblad logged just 5:10 of ice time versus the Flames. He sustained the injury when he collided with a teammate, according to Colby Guy of FloridaHockeyNow.com. Ekblad entered Saturday's action with four goals, 17 points, 44 PIM, 76 hits and 55 blocks in 46 appearances in 2023-24. Tobias Bjornfot, who was claimed off waivers from Vegas on Friday, might draw into the lineup Tuesday versus Dallas if Ekblad isn't available.
MARCH 9 • ROTOWIRE
Aaron Ekblad Snipes It On Senators' Joonas Korpisalo 19 Seconds In The First Period
FEBRUARY 21 • YOUTUBE
Set to return Tuesday Ekblad (lower body) is expected to be in the lineup versus the Senators on Tuesday, Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site reports.
Impact Ekblad has been struggling to produce offensively of late, as he has managed just one point in his last nine outings while adding 25 shots, 15 hits and 12 blocks. The blueliner's return to action will likely see Josh Mahura relegated to a reserve role in the press box Tuesday.
FEBRUARY 19 • ROTOWIRE
Not playing Saturday Ekblad (lower body) won't play Saturday versus the Lightning, according to Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site.
Impact Ekblad, who is considered day-to-day, will be replaced in the lineup by Josh Mahura. The 28-year-old Ekblad has three goals, 14 points, 79 shots on net, 45 blocked shots and 60 hits across 37 appearances this season.
FEBRUARY 17 • ROTOWIRE
Takes seven shots Ekblad recorded seven shots against Washington on Thursday.
Impact Despite Ekblad putting up a season-high seven shots, he remains stuck in a six-game pointless streak dating back to Jan. 19 versus Minnesota. At his current pace, the defenseman could record his second-lowest point total over the seven campaigns.
FEBRUARY 9 • ROTOWIRE
Drops four even-strength points Ekblad earned a goal, three assists, and a plus-4 rating in Friday's 6-4 loss to the Wild.
Impact Ekblad was a man on a mission in this home clash, but the Wild manufactured five power-play goals, plus an empty-net tally, to counter the defenseman's fiery attack. This was only the second multi-point game from Ekblad this season, and all of his offensive magic happened during 5-on-5 play. Ekblad has been downgraded to the No. 2 power-play unit, resulting in him netting just three man-advantage points -- with all of them being assists -- so far in 2023-24. Of course, a shoulder injury that required surgery caused Ekblad to get off to a late start to the campaign, and a minor lower-body issue crept up in December as well, so the Panthers are doing their part to manage the star blueliner's workload.
JANUARY 20 • ROTOWIRE
Picks up power-play helper Ekblad notched a power-play assist, four shots on goal and four PIM in Thursday's 4-1 win over the Golden Knights.
Impact Ekblad has started to find his way on offense with a goal, three assists and 10 shots on net over the last five games. The defenseman missed the start of the season while recovering from shoulder surgery. He's up to eight points, 44 shots, 26 blocked shots, 25 hits, 26 PIM and a plus-6 rating through 21 appearances. Ekblad continues to play on the top pairing and second power-play unit.
JANUARY 5 • ROTOWIRE
Good to go Ekblad (lower body) will return to the lineup Monday against Calgary, per Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site.
Impact Ekblad is slated to be back on the top pairing and second power-play unit Monday after sitting out Saturday's 5-1 win over Edmonton. He has picked up four assists, 28 shots on goal, 21 blocked shots and 14 hits across 13 outings this campaign. Ekblad's return is expected to make Josh Mahura a healthy scratch.
DECEMBER 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Dealing with lower-body injury Ekblad exited Thursday's game versus the Canucks due to a lower-body injury, Colby Guy of Florida Hockey Now reports.
Impact Ekblad's injury could be "less than day-to-day," per head coach Paul Maurice, but the team took him out of Thursday's game since they dressed seven defensemen. This sounds like a cautionary move, so Ekblad should be considered questionable to play Saturday in Edmonton.
DECEMBER 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
