May 7, 2025
Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad (suspension) will rejoin the lineup for Game 2 against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday night. He has served his two-game suspension for a high hit on Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brandon Hagel during the first-round series. The Panthers will reunite Ekblad with Gustav Forsling on the top defensive pairing, while Seth Jones will move down to the second pairing. Uvis Balinskis will be a healthy scratch on Wednesday, despite scoring Florida's third goal in Monday's 5-4 loss. Ekblad was also unavailable at the beginning of the postseason because of another suspension, limiting him to just two appearances in these playoffs. He has tallied one goal, three shots, four blocks, and six hits.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: TSN
April 30, 2025
Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad will miss the next two games due to a suspension. The NHL Department of Player Safety issued him a two-game suspension for elbowing Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brandon Hagel in Monday's Game 4 of the first-round series. The suspension will take effect with Game 5 on Wednesday. If the Panthers lose the contest, Ekblad will also be sidelined for Game 6. He will not be available for Game 1 in the second round if the defending champions close out the series on Wednesday night. Ekblad missed the start of the postseason due to a suspension for violating the NHL's performance-enhancing substance policy. He has made two appearances in the playoffs, recording one goal, three shots, four blocks, and six hits. Uvis Balinskis, who played in the first two games of the series, is expected to return to the lineup on Wednesday.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
April 25, 2025
Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad has completed his 20-game suspension and is eligible to return to the lineup for Game 3 against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday. Ekblad was suspended on March 10 for violating the terms of the NHL/NHLPA Performance Enhancing Substances Program. He missed the final 18 regular-season games and the first two playoff contests against the Lightning. The 29-year-old recorded 33 points (three goals, 30 assists), 106 shots, 64 blocks, and 90 hits over 56 regular-season appearances, averaging 23:31 of ice time. Uvis Balinskis is expected to come out of the lineup to make room for Ekblad, who will take a top-four role and join one of the power-play units.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
March 10, 2025
Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad has been suspended for 20 games due to a violation of the NHL/NHLPA Performance Enhancing Substances Program. He will begin the suspension on Tuesday against the Boston Bruins. With only 18 games left on the regular-season slate, the Panthers will begin the playoffs without Ekblad. The 29-year-old defenseman has recently enjoyed a six-game point streak, reaching 33 points (three goals, 30 assists) in 56 games for the season. Ekblad is also a big presence in the defensive zone, recording 64 blocks and 90 hits for the season. New arrival Seth Jones is expected to assume a larger role until Ekblad returns from suspension.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
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