Panthers’ Aaron Ekblad set to return following 7-game absence due to upper-body injury

The Florida Panthers are set to bolster their blue line with the return of defenseman Aaron Ekblad, who has missed the past seven games due to an upper-body injury.

At Panthers’ practice Friday, Ekblad skated on the top defensive pair with fellow rearguard Gustav Forsling, per team reporter Jameson Olive.

Missing eight of the past nine games, Ekblad last suited up in an early January contest against the Utah Hockey Club in which he took on just over 24 minutes in ice time before finishing with two shots and a plus-one rating en route to a 4-1 road win.

On the season, the 28-year-old Windsor, Ont., native has seen 41 showings with the Panthers in which he has collected two goals and 18 assists for 20 points. Skating in his 11th season with Florida after being chosen atop the 2014 NHL Draft, the oft-injured defenseman has missed significant playing time over his career, having seen more than 70 games in just five campaigns.

In 2023-24, Ekblad was limited to 51 appearances as he dealt with a host of injuries, including a 16-game absence through last November after undergoing shoulder surgery. In all, Ekblad wrapped up the campaign with four goals and 14 assists for 18 points before then adding another six points in 24 postseason appearances to help the Panthers win their first-ever Stanley Cup championship.

For Ekblad, his career counts 717 total appearances in which he has registered 117 goals and 250 assists for 367 points.

Per PuckPedia, Ekblad is in the final year of an eight-year contract that carries a $7.5-million annual average value. Ekblad is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent in the offseason.

On the season, the Panthers sit second place in the Atlantic Division with a record of 28-18-3 and three points behind the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Panthers return to the ice Saturday to take on the San Jose Sharks.