Rumor: Pagnotta: Panthers are shopping Aaron Ekblad

[WTFMAN99]

He has slowed down and injuries are a long term concern.

As a Leaf fan, at first glance he should be everything they'd want but at the same time, it's the type of injuries he's had.

Tanev for 2-3 years, I don't hesitate much, heavy miles but no real head issues.

Ekblad has had 3-5 concussions...I would have interest but I don't know how much I would be comfortable with offering up. The extension afterwards as well is concerning.

 

[Chaos2k7]

As a Leaf fan, at first glance he should be everything they'd want but at the same time, it's the type of injuries he's had.

Tanev for 2-3 years, I don't hesitate much, heavy miles but no real head issues.

Ekblad has had 3-5 concussions...I would have interest but I don't know how much I would be comfortable with offering up. The extension afterwards as well is concerning.

Ekblad hasn't had a concussion for years, let alone missed any games for them, it's his legs, knees and ankle sprains, that have been piling up.

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

I can't believe he was allowed to play so much in the playoffs. Dude was absolutely brutal.

 

[WTFMAN99]

Ekblad hasn't had a concussion for years, let alone missed any games for them, it's his legs, knees and ankle sprains, that have been piling up.

What is Florida wanting / hoping to get in return for him?

 

[Chaos2k7]

What is Florida wanting / hoping to get in return for him?

I would think a RHD and a pick. We will need his cap space next year more than anything.

 

[CaptainScrewy]

I can't believe he was allowed to play so much in the playoffs. Dude was absolutely brutal.

So bad they only won a Stanley Cup. Imagine how much better they would have done without him playing 23 minutes a night and anchoring the 1st pairing D.

 

[Just A Bit Outside]

Give him the "Old Yeller" treatment.

 

[ZDH]

Now I've got Trouba and Ekblad to try and dodge.

 

[Laus723]

Lol. Zito is going to have to FIND a 1st to send with Ekblad, forget receiving one back

Lol.

A. Sure sure. Look through who’s gotten a first.
B. You clearly missed “if he can get one.”
C. You’re out of your mind if you think other teams don’t value him.

Lol

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

So bad they only won a Stanley Cup. Imagine how much better they would have done without him playing 23 minutes a night and anchoring the 1st pairing D.

They won the cup in spite of him. How many Edmonton goals were directly because of Ekblad's poor neutral zone positioning and lead feet? Forsling was the anchor of that top pair.

 

[Oilslick941611]

Give us your 4C and a top4 RD with term and he's all yours.

Ryan and Nurse for Ekblad

 

[WTFMAN99]

I would think a RHD and a pick. We will need his cap space next year more than anything.

If it was gonna happen today or tomorrow maybe something around Ekblad for Liljegren and Holmberg/ 1 of the Leafs 5ths

Even easier if Florida retained 1-1.5M on it.

Not sure we have the right partner for Ekblad though, if Muzzin was still healthy he would have been great.

 

[Chaos2k7]

If it was gonna happen today or tomorrow maybe something around Ekblad for Liljegren and Holmberg/ 1 of the Leafs 5ths

Even easier if Florida retained 1-1.5M on it.

Not sure we have the right partner for Ekblad though, if Muzzin was still healthy he would have been great.

Pass, and not close IMO.

Leafs don't have a Dman on the right side worth acquiring.

 

[DamonDRW]

That was basically a final season for him. Any team giving up assets for him will regret that immediately.

 

[Chaos2k7]

That was basically a final season for him. Any team giving up assets for him will regret that immediately.

He would be a great #4 but not at 7.5 obviously

 

[DamonDRW]

He would be a great #4 but not st 7.5 obviously

For 3-5M/season - yes. But that's not the case.

 

[Chaos2k7]

For 3-5M/season - yes. But that's not the case.

He has one year left at 7.5 and just won the cup, there is a deal to be made, that does not include taking table scraps, IMO

 

[ShootIt]

imo the problem is the cap next year, not that the team wouldn't want a 5.25Mx2 extension.

For sure. Freeing up 7.5mil this offseason would be huge.
Now, replacing him won't be easy but I trust Zito

 

[Leafshater67]

No interest in Ekblad at 7.5, from this Sabres fan sorry. He looked dreadful in the final.

I’d rather have Trouba at 8m for 2 more years as a Sabre than I would Ekblad tbh. Plus he provides a ton of leadership

 

[bucks_oil]

Ryan and Nurse for Ekblad

Hah... I was going to offer Ceci and Ryan (McLeod).

 

[bernmeister]

Pass

Ekblad at 7.5 and Mikkola at 2.5 is not 12.5, it leaves less cap space, and opens two more holes on the D, not gonna happen.

who said 12.5?
bread = a shade over 11.6
FL sheds 10.0 takes on 1.6

but hey,
ArEk is a stopgap, so fine we can wait on your next available 1st -- 2027? + Mik

 

[Chaos2k7]

who said 12.5?
bread = a shade over 11.6
FL sheds 10.0 takes on 1.6

but hey,
ArEk is a stopgap, so fine we can wait on your next available 1st -- 2027? + Mik

Still defeats the purpose of moving him, losing cap space and creating an even bigger hole on D.

Next 1st is in 2026

 

[Laus723]

Ekblad + Mikkola for bread

almost exact cap match
helps Rs w D
FL road tests Panarin final contract yr, works for cats whether o not Rein -> ufa

Why would we want to do that?

 

[bernmeister]

Why would we want to do that?

whether you give Ekblad or 1st way down the road (+ Mik),
Whether or not Rein stays or exits as a ufa, you could use bread
def upcoming season
and you get a deep dive look to see if you want to extend further, and if yes, for how much

The OP here is reporting Ekbl is being shopped.
You are getting real value now, and after next season, if AE is still a fit, you can pitch him as a ufa b'c Rs not likely to try to retain, view as a stopgap

Do you disagree you can use Pan. in any event?

 

[Laus723]

whether you give Ekblad or 1st way down the road (+ Mik),
Whether or not Rein stays or exits as a ufa, you could use bread
def upcoming season
and you get a deep dive look to see if you want to extend further, and if yes, for how much

The OP here is reporting Ekbl is being shopped.
You are getting real value now, and after next season, if AE is still a fit, you can pitch him as a ufa b'c Rs not likely to try to retain, view as a stopgap

Do you disagree you can use Pan. in any event?

I honestly don't see us moving 1-2 defensemen and bringing in another $10 MIL forward with rumors around Reino and Verhaeghe being 8ish for one and 9ish for the other. Makes no sense to bring Panarin in.

Edit: even if we don't sign either of our forwards, I don't see us bringing Panarin in. Zito is obviously fine paying guys (Barkov, Tkachuk, Forsling), but he also is wise with how he uses the cap. That much to one guy, who'd be making more than Barkov, just doesn't seem like a move he'd make