Ekblad left Thursday's game with a lower-body injury, did not play on Saturday, but is likely to return to action on Monday against the Calgary Flames. Through 13 games this season, Ekblad has four points (0G / 4A) and is averaging a career-low 21:02 time-on-ice, playing predominantly alongside Gustav Forsling on the Panthers' top defensive pair.
Ekblad left Thursday's game with a lower-body injury and is questionable to play Saturday in Edmonton. Head coach Paul Maurice said that Ekblad's injury isn't serious and that they "don't even know if it's day-to-day" and added that they "think they got ahead of it." It sounds like Ekblad is more likely to play than miss Saturday's game, but monitor his status during the afternoon.
Ekblad, initially expected to be out until mid-December, could return to action as soon as tonight against the Anaheim Ducks. The injured reserve has become far too familiar of a place for Ekblad over the past few seasons as the talented defenceman will hope for a better fate upon his return for the remainder of the season. Despite his recent inability to play an entire season, Ekblad scored more than 10 goals in each of his past three campaigns.
Ekblad has yet to play in 2023-24 due to offseason shoulder surgery but is eyeing Friday vs. Anaheim as a possible return to make his season debut. The 27-year-old heavy shooting defensemen has scored double digit goals in eight of his nine career seasons and had 14 goals, 38 points, and 68 PIMs in 71 games played in 2022-23.
Panthers' head coach Paul Maurice said that there's a chance Ekblad returns after the Panthers' upcoming road trip to California, which runs from Nov. 14 to Nov.17. This puts Ekblad on track to play somewhere around Nov.20 when they host the Edmonton Oilers.
Panthers GM Barry Zito did not have a definitive timetable for when Ekblad is expected to make his season debut but said it's safe to assume he'll be back between "November to January." That timeline doesn't clarify Ekblad's status, but more detailed updates could become available throughout training camp.
Both Ekblad and Brandon Montour underwent offseason shoulder surgery, and GM Bill Zito said they're "on time" and are expected to be back in "a month or two." This puts both defensemen on pace to be ready close to the start of the regular season. The Panthers play just eight games in October, so even if Ekblad misses the start of the season, he may not miss too many games.
Ekblad played through a broken foot, two shoulder dislocations and multiple oblique tears throughout the postseason and his shoulder will require offseason surgery. Ekblad will not be ready in time for training camp. His injury isn't expected to linger too deep into the 2023-24 season, but expect a more detailed timetable following his surgery.
Ekblad missed Game 4 due to an undisclosed injury but will dress for Game 5 on Wednesday as the Panthers continue their hard-fought series vs. Boston. The 27-year-old has yet to pick up a point through three games so far in these playoffs, but has six SOG, two PIMs and a +1 plus/minus.
Ekblad gave the Panthers yet another injury scare as he left their previous game after just three shifts and 1:50 TOI due to an upper-body injury. The 26-year-old will play Monday after skating with the team earlier in the day, and will be hoping to add to his seven goals, 13 assists, 97 SOG and 40 PIMs he has collected through 37 games this season.
Ekblad was considered day-to-day with an upper-body injury but it seems will not miss any time as he is expected to be in the Panthers' lineup Thursday vs. Montreal. The 26-year-old has had another injury-riddled season, but still managed to put up four goals, 10 assists and 72 SOG through 24 games played
Ekblad was considered day-to-day with an upper-body injury but it seems will not miss any time as he is expected to be in the Panthers' lineup Thursday vs. Montreal. The 26-year-old has had another injury-riddled season, but still managed to put up four goals, 10 assists and 72 SOG through 24 games played.
Ekblad will return to the Panther's lineup Saturday vs. Edmonton. The 26-year-old has been out since October 17th when he left a game against Boston early with a lower-back injury. Through his first three games of the season, he had one goal and seven SOG while leading the Panthers blue line.
Ekblad is "expected" to return to the Panther's lineup Saturday vs. Edmonton. The 26-year-old has been out since October 17th when he left a game against Boston early with a lower-back injury. Through his first three games of the season, he had one goal and seven SOG while leading the Panthers blueline.
Ekblad will be eligible to play Saturday vs. Edmonton if Florida is able and willing to activate him in time. The 26-year-old has been out since October 17th when he left a game against Boston early with a lower-back injury. Through his first three games of the season, he had one goal and seven SOG while leading the Panthers blueline.
Ekblad left Monday's game with a lower-body injury and has landed on LTIR, which means he'll miss at least 10 goals or 24 days. The Panthers have yet to provide a timeline on his injury but this is obviously terrible news for a team that was already thin on the blueline.
Ekblad has been out since March 18th but is set to play in Game 1 of the postseason. Ekblad will log huge minutes on the top with Mackenzie Weegar and return to the top power-play unit right away. He had an outstanding season, finishing fifth among defensemen in points-per-game (0.93).
