This Eastern conference team is getting a key piece of their blueline back
On March 20th, 2022 the Florida Panthers placed Aaron Ekblad on long-term injured reserve. Ekblad would miss the last twenty games of the regular season.
The Panthers defenseman injured his leg which kept him out of regular season play until the playoffs against the Washington Capitals.
Due to his injury, the Panthers had to acquire Robert Hagg during that brief stretch of March to May to fill the gap that Ekblad left, which by no means is an easy task.
In the shadow of the 4-game sweep against the Tampa Bay Lightning, and being placed on injured reserve, Ekblad has been training for this coming season.
With Paul Maurice and newly acquired depth in the fold, the Panthers ideally should be back in the playoff picture.
Can Ekblad stay healthy this season?
Ekblad was the 2nd player to be granted exceptional status in juniors, with the Barrie Colt, and is still young enough despite his injuries to keep growing into his potential.
With only 61 games under his belt last season, he still managed to put up 57 points.
| POLL | ||
Will he be the same this season? | ||
| yes | 20 | 27.4 % |
| no | 26 | 35.6 % |
| only time will tell | 27 | 37 % |
| List of polls | ||
