Panthers defenceman Aaron Ekblad lands on LTIR

According to Frank Seravalli of DailyFaceoff, the Florida Panthers have placed defenceman Aaron Ekblad on long-term injured reserve with a lower-body injury. Seravalli added that Ekblad will not return for the remainder of the regular season, but should be back during the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Ekblad suffered the injury on Friday night against the Anaheim Ducks. The 26-year-old collided with Ducks defenceman Cam Fowler and Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov during the first period. He was forced to leave the game and did not return.

.@FlaPanthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad has to be helped off the ice after a rough collision early in the first period tonight.

Wishing for the best for Eks. pic.twitter.com/xzpEJrQa1U— Bally Sports Florida & Bally Sports Sun (@BallySportsFL) March 19, 2022

Replacing Ekblad is tough, but some good news for the Panthers is that reinforcements are on the way. Last Wednesday, they added Ben Chiarot from the Montreal Canadiens, and on Sunday they picked up Robert Hagg from the Buffalo Sabres.

Ekblad was having a career year prior to the injury. In 61 games, he recorded 57 points (15 G, 42 A), 26 penalty minutes, and was a +38.

I'm told Aaron Ekblad will be placed on LTIR and will not return during the regular season, but sometime during the first round. So cap space is no issue for #FlaPanthers.

Expect them to be active - and maybe use that space (after Hagg deal) to attempt to recoup some picks.— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) March 20, 2022

MUST READ

58 minutes ago  |  By Daniel Lucente St. Louis NHL Hopeful Colin Brown Tragically Passes Away at 16 After Succumbing to Injuries From Violent Crime

1 hour ago  |  By Tom Banks Identities of the Men Who Attacked Paul Bissonnette Exposed: More Disgusting Crimes Come to Light

4 hours ago  |  By Tom Banks Nashville Predators and Chicago Blackhawks Make Trade Involving Young Forward

6 hours ago  |  By TJ Tucker Robin Lehner Dropped by His Bankruptcy Lawyers: Has Not Been Heard From in Several Months

7 hours ago  |  By Julien Trekker Montreal Canadiens' Patrik Laine Suffers Loss of Hundreds of Thousands of Dollars in Disaster Condo Purchase

10 hours ago  |  By Tom Banks New York Rangers Call Emergency Meeting: Significant Changes Coming Imminently

21 hours ago  |  By Tom Banks Pittsburgh Penguins Reportedly Make a Massive Offer for Former Sixth Overall Pick: We Have the Details

Nov 26  |  By Tom Banks Vancouver Canucks GM Opens Up on J.T. Millers Personal Absence From the Team

MORE STORIES