Ekblad missed the first game of his NHL career on Saturday, but he seems to be over the illness and should definitely be back in the lineup on Thursday vs. the Jets. Ekblad is having a sensational season for an 18-year-old, registering 11 goals and 23 assists (34 points) in 65 games.
Ekblad will miss the first game of his NHL career. Ekblad will sit because he is not feeling well, so Willie Mitchell will get back into the lineup.
Ekblad is not feeling well and is in danger of missing his first career NHL game. Monitor his status during pre game warmups at 6:30 pm ET.
Ekblad is tied for the team lead in points with 9 in his first 14 games.
Ekblad has played in seven games and has two more games left before the Panthers have to decide whether or not to burn the first year of his entry level contract and keep him or send him back to juniors. "Unless he really collapses, I don't see him going anywhere," Panthers general manager Dale Tallontold NHL.com. "I've been very impressed with his composure and maturity. Once the regular season started, he was a different guy." Ekblad has averaged 21:54 TOI (2:22 PP TOI/GP) and recorded two assists with a minus-1 rating so far.
Ekblad was named the Ontario Hockey League’s (OHL) most outstanding defenseman during the 2013-2014 season, ranking first among the league’s blueliners with 23 goals and tied for fifth with 53 points (23-30-53). The 6-foot-3, 213-pound defenseman became just the third player in his 18-year-old birth year to earn the OHL’s most outstanding defenseman honor in the past 20 years. The Belle River, Ontario, native is expected to crack the Panthers opening day roster and should be an immediate fantasy contributor.
