AARON EKBLAD NEWS

Panthers' Aaron Ekblad suspended 20 games for violating NHL's performance-enhancing drug policy - The Boston Globe Ekblad in a statement through the NHLPA said the news that he had failed a random drug test shocked him, and he apologized for the error.

MARCH 10 • BOSTONGLOBE.COM

HockeyBuzz.com - Eklund - Aaron Ekblad Suspended 20 Games For Performance Enhancing Substance NHL Hockey Trade Rumors

MARCH 10 • HOCKEYBUZZ.COM

Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad suspended 20 games for PED violation Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad will miss the rest of the regular season and two playoff games for the defending Stanley Cup champi...

MARCH 10 • USATODAY.COM

Panthers' Aaron Ekblad Suspended 20 Games for Performance Enhancing Substance Aaron Ekblad was suspended 20 games after violating the NHL’s performance enhancing substance policy.

MARCH 10 • KANSASCITY.COM

Panthers Defenseman Suspended For Performance Enhancing Drugs The Florida Panthers will be without their top defenseman for the next 20 games. The NHL announced that Aaron Ekblad was suspended for 20 ga...

MARCH 10 • SI.COM

Panthers' Aaron Ekblad suspended 20 games for violating NHL's performance-enhancing drug policy

Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad has been suspended 20 games without pay for violating the NHL and NHL Players Association’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs

MARCH 10

Receives 20-game suspension The NHL announced Monday that Ekblad has been suspended 20 games for violating the league's Performance Enhancing Substances Program.

Impact Since the Panthers have just 18 games remaining on their schedule, Ekblad will miss the remainder of the regular season 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 over 56 appearances. Barring an appeal, Ekblad would be forced to miss the first two games of the postseason as well, and the Panthers will be forced to rely more upon new acquisition Seth Jones down the stretch. Ekblad is slated to become an unrestricted free agent during the offseason.

MARCH 10 • ROTOWIRE

Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad suspended 20 games for violating NHL's performance-enhancing drug policy

Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad suspended 20 games for violating NHL's performance-enhancing drug policy

MARCH 10

Vitek Vanecek stops 21 shots in Florida debut, Panthers blank Sabres 4-0 for sixth straight win

Vitek Vanecek stopped all 21 shots he faced in his Florida debut, and the Panthers beat the Buffalo Sabres 4-0

MARCH 9

Panthers' Sergei Bobrovsky moves into tie for 10th in wins by NHL goalies

Sergei Bobrovsky of the Florida Panthers is making a strong case for his third Vezina Trophy all while joining elite company among the best goaltenders in NHL history

MARCH 7

FLA vs. CBJ: Postgame Interview Ekblad - 3/6/25 | Florida Panthers Aaron Ekblad speaks after Thursday's 3-0 win over Columbus.

MARCH 7 • NHL.COM

Tallies power-play helper Ekblad registered a power-play assist, had two PIM, and provided three hits in Monday's 2-1 win against Tampa Bay.

Impact 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.

MARCH 4 • ROTOWIRE

Three-game, four-assist streak Ekblad delivered an assist and four PIM in Saturday's 3-0 win over Calgary.

Impact Ekblad is riding a three-game, four-assist scoring streak, and he has 30 points, including 27 helpers, and 104 shots in 53 games. That puts him on pace to top the 40-point mark for the third time in his career. But his role on the top power-play unit could be at risk with the arrival of Seth Jones in a trade Saturday night.

MARCH 2 • ROTOWIRE

Picks up two helpers Ekblad produced two assists in Thursday's 4-3 win over the Oilers.

Impact 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 in 11 contests.

FEBRUARY 28 • ROTOWIRE

Garners helper in win Ekblad logged an assist and three shots on goal in Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Predators.

Impact 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.

FEBRUARY 26 • ROTOWIRE

Sets up empty-netter 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.

Impact 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.

FEBRUARY 3 • ROTOWIRE

One of each in return Ekblad scored a goal and added a power-play assist in Saturday's 7-2 win over the Sharks.

Impact 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 on 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.

JANUARY 26 • ROTOWIRE

Aaron Ekblad scores in return from injury in the Panthers' 7-2 victory over the Sharks

Defenseman Aaron Ekblad had a goal and an assist in his return from an upper-body injury and the Florida Panthers routed the San Jose Sharks 7-2 on Saturday night

JANUARY 26

Good to go against Sharks Ekblad (upper body) will play Saturday against San Jose, according to Doug Plagens of the Panthers Radio Network.

Impact 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.

JANUARY 25 • ROTOWIRE

Returns to practice Ekblad (upper body) practiced Friday and head coach Paul Maurice said "there's a chance" the defenseman plays Saturday versus the Sharks.

Impact 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.

JANUARY 24 • ROTOWIRE

Won't play Wednesday Ekblad (upper body) won't play Wednesday but is making progress toward a return, Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site reports.

Impact 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.

JANUARY 23 • ROTOWIRE

Remains out Tuesday Ekblad (upper body) will not be in the lineup versus Anaheim on Tuesday, Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site reports.

Impact At this point, Ekblad should probably be considered a significant doubt to play Wednesday versus the Kings either -- 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.

JANUARY 21 • ROTOWIRE

Making progress Ekblad (upper body) skated before Monday's practice and felt better than he thought he would, per Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site.

Impact 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.

JANUARY 20 • ROTOWIRE

Not available Saturday Ekblad (undisclosed) will be out of the lineup versus Anaheim on Saturday, according to Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site.

Impact 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.

JANUARY 18 • ROTOWIRE