Florida Panthers could look to trade Aaron Ekblad if shakeup is needed

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Josh Tupper
July 31, 2024 (10:24)

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Aaron Ekblad Could Be Trade Bait for Florida Panthers' GM Bill Zito This Season

As the defending Stanley Cup champions, the Florida Panthers will face high expectations heading into the 2024-25 season. General Manager Bill Zito has made several moves to adjust the blue line, losing Brandon Montour and Oliver Ekman-Larsson but adding Nate Schmidt and Adam Boqvist. Jaycob Megna will also play a role on the back end. Despite these changes, speculation is growing about the future of one of the team's key defensemen, Aaron Ekblad.

In a recent article for The Hockey News, Adam Proteau discussed potential players and staff members on the hot seat and suggested that Ekblad could be a significant trade option for the Panthers before the trade deadline. Ekblad, set to become an unrestricted free agent next summer, is in the prime of his career at 28 years old and could fetch a substantial return in a trade.

"For the Cup-champion Panthers, it's quite difficult to give the 'hot seat' label to any member of the franchise. GM Bill Zito has locked up most of the players who won the championship to at least the upcoming NHL season, but if there is anyone who's somewhat unsettled over the long haul, it's Ekblad, who is entering a contract season in 2024-25 and earning $7.5 million. The Panthers can fit Ekblad under the salary cap ceiling this coming year, but if Zito is being proactive as he often is, moving Ekblad at some point before the next trade deadline makes a lot of sense." Proteau said.

He added, "Zito might be waiting until the NHL's trade deadline to ratchet up the asking price for Ekblad, but it's difficult to envision Ekblad getting a seven or eight-year contract extension with the Panthers. Florida's embarrassment of riches throughout the lineup means very few, if any players are untouchable. And Ekblad � who has a modified no-trade clause allowing him to veto a deal to 12 teams of his choosing � can help choose his own exit route from the Panthers. Now that he's been on a Cup winner, Ekblad doesn't have anything to prove to anyone, but he's still got a long road ahead in his NHL career, and the reality is the rest of his NHL days may not be spent with Florida."

Ekblad, selected first overall by the Panthers in 2014, has faced numerous injuries in recent years. In the 2023-24 season, he was limited to just 51 games due to lower-body injuries and recorded 18 points (four goals, 14 assists), marking the lowest output of his NHL career to date.

Despite his injury history, Ekblad remains a valuable asset. With the Panthers' strong roster, Zito may look to capitalize on Ekblad's trade value to further strengthen the team. The defenseman became eligible for a contract extension on July 1st, but no deal has been made, suggesting a trade could be in the works.

As the 2024-25 season progresses, all eyes will be on Zito and the Panthers to see if they decide to shop Ekblad closer to the trade deadline. Given Ekblad's modified no-trade clause, he will have some control over his next destination, potentially influencing the trade market.

Ekblad's future with the Panthers remains uncertain, but his potential departure could significantly impact the team's strategy as they aim to defend their Stanley Cup title and build a team for long-term success.

Source: Adam Proteau/The Hockey News
NHL Hot Seat Radar: Ekblad Under Pressure Entering Contract Year, While GM Zito Sits Comfy with Cup-Champion Panthers