After making him the first overall pick in the 2014 NHL Draft, the Florida Panthers have finally signed defenseman Aaron Ekblad to an entry-level contract.
With the three-year deal in place, Ekblad will not only be in camp but he’ll likely start the season with the Panthers. GM Dale Tallon:
“We are very pleased to have signed Aaron,” said Tallon. “He is a talented, strong, smart and hardworking defenseman who is ready to take the next step in his professional career. We look forward to watching him compete and develop at our prospects camp, throughout our main training camp and in preseason competition.”
Ekblad was named the OHL’s most outstanding defenseman last year, leading the league in goals for a defenseman with 23 and tying for fifth in points with 53. At 6’3”, 213-pounds he’s a formidable package. He’s got the skill and finesse to move the puck up the ice with ease and quarterback the power play. He’s also got the size and edge to be a force in his own end.
Per the CBA, there are restrictions on what Ekblad can make. Last year’s first overall pick, Nathan MacKinnon, had a $925K cap hit, but his base salary wound up being $3.775 million thanks to performance and signing bonuses.
Bringing Ekblad into the mix only improves a suddenly-solid Panthers defensive unit. Ekblad will join Willie Mitchell, Brian Campbell, Dmitry Kulikov and Erik Gudbranson, perhaps paired up with the solid veteran Mitchell.
I love to joke about how landing in Florida is career death, but perhaps Ekblad and the young guns in South Beach can help lead the Panthers to something bigger.
Follow us on Twitter: @2PSBlog
