The NHL introduced a 20-game suspension for Florida Panthers star defender Aaron Ekblad for violating the phrases of the NHL/NHLPA Efficiency Enhancing Substances Program on Monday.
The Panthers right-handed taking pictures defender sometimes performs with Gustav Forsling. The pair has earned 54.5% of the anticipated objectives this season when on the ice for Florida, in response to Natural Stat Trick.
Ekblad has already acknowledged the failed check and his half in it in a statement released shortly after the announcement of the suspension:
“Because the NHL introduced, I’ve been suspended for violating the NHL/NHLPA Efficiency Enhancing Substances Program. The information that I had failed a random drug check was a shock. In the end, I made a mistake by taking one thing to assist me get better from latest accidents with out first checking with correct medical and staff personnel.
I’ve let my teammates, the Panthers group and our nice followers down. For that, I’m actually sorry. I’ve accepted duty for my mistake and might be totally ready to return to my staff when my suspension is over. I’ve realized a tough lesson and can’t wait to be again with my teammates.”
18 video games stay within the common season for the Panthers, who at the moment lead the Atlantic Division by 4 factors. They may very well be with out Ekblad for the beginning of the playoffs in consequence.
Ekblad, standing at 6-foot-4 and 220 kilos, is within the remaining season of an eight-year deal value a median of $7.5M per season. He has been an integral a part of the Panthers rise from irrelevance since being the No. 1 choose of the 2014 NHL Draft. His play has helped lead the Panthers to back-to-back Stanley Cup appearances and a 2024 Cup win in seven video games over the Edmonton Oilers.
Ekblad has had harm points up to now. He has not performed close to a full season because the COVID-shortened 2019-20 season when he suited up in 67 of 69 video games. He has not performed in all 82 common season video games since 2018-19.
He has had a strong season with 33 points (3g, 30a) in 56 video games whereas grading out favorably in practically all advanced possession metrics. He’s the third-most utilized defender at 5-on-5 averaging 17:19 per sport.
The previous No. 1 general choice’s future with the staff had already been known as into query by the latest acquisition of disgruntled defender Seth Jones. Jones pressured his method out of Chicago whereas solely within the third-year of an eight-year contract. He performs the identical place as Ekblad and is signed for 5 further years at a smaller cap hit ($7M) due to Chicago retaining a portion ($2.5M) of the yearly cap hit within the commerce.
In the meantime, the wage cap is rising sooner than anticipated — set for $95.5M subsequent season with the likelihood Ekblad is at or close to the highest of the protection market.
PuckPedia tasks Florida with $19M in cap area for subsequent season with out Ekblad underneath contract. A deal is not out of the query, however Florida can also be hoping to increase heart Sam Bennett. It is also not clear in the event that they intend to supply a contract extension to newly acquired winger Brad Marchand.
Within the commerce for Jones, Florida dealt backup goaltender Spencer Knight, leaving no clear candidate for subsequent season in that place.
