Florida Panthers’ star defenseman Aaron Ekblad has been rushed to the hospital after suffering a severe spinal injury obtain in training, especially following the team’s first Stanley Cup victory and his impending free agency. Ekblad is set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, 2025. Despite speculation about his potential departure, reports suggest that the Panthers plan to keep him for the 2024-25 season.
According to Lyle Richardson of The Hockey News, Ekblad is expected to remain a key player for the Panthers this season, especially after the off-season departure of Brandon Montour. “With Montour gone, Ekblad is likely to take on top-pairing right-side minutes on the blueline,” Richardson noted on August 23. “Trading him now would further weaken their right-side defense depth. Expect Ekblad to stay with the defending Stanley Cup champions for this season.”
Ekblad’s name has circulated in trade discussions since June, but Richardson believes the 28-year-old will continue to be a vital part of the Panthers’ lineup, at least until the end of the season. However, Ekblad is in the final year of an eight-year, $60 million contract he signed in July 2016. According to PuckPedia, he will carry a $7.5 million cap hit next season. His contract also includes a modified no-trade clause, which allows him to block trades to 12 teams before the next trade deadline.
Given the Panthers’ desire to keep their championship-winning roster intact for another run, a trade involving Ekblad seems unlikely. However, there’s a possibility the Panthers could consider moving him before the next off-season to avoid losing him for nothing, especially considering his recent injury history. Ekblad has struggled with injuries in recent years, playing only 51 games last season and has not completed a full 82-game season since 2018-
Leave a Reply