Florida Panthers Bend NHL Rules to Get Star Defenseman Aaron Ekblad Back From Suspension Early

Last month, Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad was suspended twenty games for violating the league's illegal substances policy.

It was a huge blow to the Panthers, who were challenging for the Atlantic division title.

Now that race is down to the Toronto Maple Leafs and Tampa Bay Lightning.

That being said, the Panthers have clinched a playoff birth and very well could be on their way to their second Stanley Cup final in as many years.

Traditionally, when players are suspended in the NHL, they are not allowed to participate in team activities at all.

Today however, it appears as though the NHL has made an exception as Ekblad was cleared by the league and the Player's Association to resume team activities this morning.

Following the decision, he was seen participating in practice with the team this morning, despite the fact that he remains suspended until the Panthers' third game of the playoffs.

Panthers head coach Paul Maurice confirmed all of this after practice, saying that the veteran blueliner is allowed to do 'whatever we want him to do.'

Ekblad has 3 goals and 33 points in 56 games with the team this season.

He is up to 118 goals and 380 points in 732 career regular season games, all with the Panthers.

He had a goal and six points in 24 playoff games last year en route to his first career Stanley Cup championship.