Aaron Ekblad Makes Scoring Return For Panthers
1 year agoFlorida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad (lower body) returned from a one-game absence with a quick goal in Tuesday's 3-2 overtime victory against Ottawa. After missing Saturday's clash with the Lightning due to a lower-body injury, Ekblad needed only 19 seconds of action to open the scoring in Tuesday's game. It's the second-fastest goal ever to begin a contest by a Panthers defenseman. Ekblad also had a pair of blocks on Tuesday while logging 20:32 of ice time. It's been a struggle for Ekblad offensively for quite some time, as he's gone scoreless in 13 of his last 16 appearances. However, his composed work on the defensive end has resulted in him registering a plus-21 rating in just 38 games. He has 15 points (four goals, 11 assists) for the season and has tallied 60 hits and 47 blocks.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Aaron Ekblad Back For Panthers Saturday
2 months agoFlorida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad (upper body) is good to go for Saturday's game against the San Jose Sharks. After missing eight of the last nine games, Ekblad came through Friday's practice session without any issues. On Saturday morning, Panthers head coach Paul Maurice confirmed that Ekblad will be re-inserted into the lineup for the meeting with the Sharks. Ekblad will rejoin his regular partner Gustav Forsling on the first defensive pairing, bumping Dmitry Kulikov and Nate Schmidt down in the lineup. Schmidt will also relinquish his spot on the first power-play unit to Ekblad, who leads the Panthers blue-liners with 20 points (two goals, 18 assists) in 41 games. Tobias Bjornfot will come out of the lineup as a healthy scratch.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Aaron Ekblad Returns To Practice
2 months agoAccording to Jameson Olive of NHL.com, Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad (upper body) practiced with the team on Friday. Olive noted that head coach Paul Maurice said the star defenseman "has a chance" to play against the San Jose Sharks on Saturday evening. The 28-year-old has missed eight of his previous nine games with this injury. However, seeing him skate alongside Gustav Forsling during practice suggests he is nearing a return. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status before the game on Saturday night. Through 41 games this season, Ekblad has scored twice and added 18 helpers. He has logged 59 hits, 55 blocked shots, and a +3 rating. If he does return to action, Tobias Bjornfot will likely exit the starting lineup.
Source: Jameson Olive
Source: Jameson Olive
Aaron Ekblad Still Not Ready To Return
2 months agoFlorida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad (undisclosed) will not play against Anaheim on Saturday. He will remain out of the lineup for a fifth consecutive game. Ekblad's next chance to return will be on Tuesday in a rematch with the Ducks. Panthers head coach Paul Maurice has said he expects to have Ekblad available next week, so he should be ready for a comeback soon. On Saturday, Dmitry Kulikov will continue to operate on the first defensive pairing, while Nate Schmidt and Uvis Balinskis receive extra usage on the power play.
Source: Jordan McPherson
Source: Jordan McPherson
Aaron Ekblad To Sit Out At Least Two More Games
3 months agoFlorida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad (undisclosed) will remain behind as the team kicks off the new week with road contests against Philadelphia and New Jersey. Ekblad is battling an unspecified ailment and has missed two of the past three games. Tobias Bjornfot played against Boston instead of Ekblad on Friday, with Dmitry Kulikov moving to the first defensive pairing. Uvis Balinskis logs time on the first power-play unit with Ekblad out, while Nate Schmidt also gets increased usage with the man advantage.
Source: Jordan McPherson
Source: Jordan McPherson
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