Former First Overall Pick Becomes Trade Deadline Target After $76 Million Acquisition
Photo credit: Edit from Sportsnet
Aaron Ekblad's days with the Panthers could be numbered following the team's acquisition of Seth Jones, as space is running out on their blue line.
With the NHL Trade Deadline of March 7 looming, clubs are looking to the future and thinking about prized assets.
One of those prized assets for the Florida Panthers is Aaron Ekblad, according to David Pagnotta of 'The Fourth Period.' With the acquisition of Seth Jones, the Panthers have a lot of salary tied up on their blue line, and space is running thin.
Ekblad, in the last year of his contract, has 31 points in 54 games this season in 2024-25. The Panthers reportedly went out of their way last offseason to shop him in trade talks.
"There was a report last summer that the Panthers were "shopping" Ekblad ahead of his contract year, but he's on the record as wanting to remain in Florida," Wyshynski writes . "He also told the Miami Herald that he's not worried about the timing of a contract extension given how [Bill] Zito waited in the past to get deals done with players such as Sam Reinhart."
Ekblad was a key reason the Panthers won the Cup last season
The Stanley Cup victory in Florida last June was helped by the play of the former first-overall pick in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.
Since capturing that championship, the Panthers have lost defensemen Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Brandon Montour. Despite those departures, they are a solid bet to be a 2025 repeat title winner, battling for first place in the Atlantic Division.
Panthers general manager Bill Zito and the front office are no strangers to blockbuster moves. While dealing Ekblad would deplete their blue-line depth for a playoff push, he is a potential chip in a high-impact deal.
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