Aaron Ekblad Breaks Silence After 2-Game Suspension for Elbowing Hagel

Aaron Ekblad will return to the Florida Panthers' lineup on Wednesday evening for Game 2 against the Toronto Maple Leafs, following his second suspension in a matter of weeks.

The grizzled blueliner was originally suspended for 20 games in March when he inadvertently consumed a banned substance while rehabbing an injury.

He got back into the lineup for Game 3 of the opening-round series against Tampa Bay, only to have his stay abbreviated. In Game 4, Ekblad was suspended again, this time for two games, for elbowing Lightning winger Brandon Hagel in the head.

Having had his recent suspension served, the 29-year-old can be brought back into the lineup for a must-win game in Toronto. Addressing the controversy surrounding the hit publicly for the first time, Ekblad spoke his piece on the contentious check.

The information about what he said was shared on social media by SDPN's Jesse Blake.

A first-overall draft pick in 2014, Ekblad is in the final year of an eight-year, $60 million deal and will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. He has played his entire 11-year NHL career with the Panthers.

Ekblad has been a steady presence on Florida's blue line, especially on their recent playoff runs, often being paired alongside Gustav Forsling. He has tallied one goal in two playoff games so far in 2025.

The Panthers will look to tie up the series with a win Wednesday night. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET at Scotiabank Arena.