i meant he has the potential to be the most complete dman in the NHL, which by default would most likely mean being the best dman in the league.
RD Aaron Ekblad (2014, 1st overall, Florida) II
- Thread starter Woodhouse
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i meant he has the potential to be the most complete dman in the NHL, which by default would most likely mean being the best dman in the league.
Bryanbryoil
Pray For Ukraine
- Sep 13, 2004
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I wanted Ekblad or Draisaitl for the Oilers last season, luckily we got one of the 2. Good for Aaron having such a strong rookie season, on top of his abilities he's a very mature young man. The Panthers got themselves one hell of a player!
Ekblad has 7 points in the last 5 games and is a +6. Makes you do a double take. Those numbers cannot continue and I am not making the comparison but those are Bobby Orr numbers. 
WOW!
WOW!Man i just really hope he doesnt hit a brick wall after game 50ish or so. What do you guys think the odds are of him having a step-back season next year? I mean he looms so composed out there like hes played in the nhl forever and isnt just "treading water" like certain other rookies, so maybe he doesnt have the sophomore slump, but do you think it's likely?
EichHart
Registered User
Dudes a beast, glad Florida has a franchise player. Proving everyone wrong in taking a D 1st overall. Love it.
Article...
"Aaron Ekblad doing what few defensemen have ever done at age 18. Not even Bobby Orr"
http://www.msn.com/en-ca/sports/nhl...-18-not-even-bobby-orr/ar-BBgF8uk?ocid=AARDHP
"Aaron Ekblad doing what few defensemen have ever done at age 18. Not even Bobby Orr"
http://www.msn.com/en-ca/sports/nhl...-18-not-even-bobby-orr/ar-BBgF8uk?ocid=AARDHP
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Ekblad has 7 points in the last 5 games and is a +6. Makes you do a double take. Those numbers cannot continue and I am not making the comparison but those are Bobby Orr numbers.
Actually, they are better than Bobby Orr rookie numbers - see the article (link) I posted above.
EichHart
Registered User
It only works if it is a Canadian D-Man being taken first.
lol, you are such a Canadian homer. You're from Niagara, that doesn't event count as Canada.
IceManCat
#StanleyCupChampions2024🏆
Ekblad has 7 points in the last 5 games and is a +6. Makes you do a double take. Those numbers cannot continue and I am not making the comparison but those are Bobby Orr numbers.
Keep in mind we are 27 in the league for goals for. There is very little offense on this team and he has that many points already not too shabby.
This is true.
You're from Niagara, that doesn't event count as Canada.
Hey!!!! TBH, I am not sure what this means.
This is true.
Hey!!!! TBH, I am not sure what this means.
A Canadian would know what it means
You're from Niagara, that doesn't event count as Canada.
A Canadian would know what it means
LMAO. What the heck does THAT mean? You guys kill me.
I am not exposed
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Last couple of games he's been a bit off. Supposedly had a minor injury but still played. Hope we're not burning him out!
At that age, it's to be expected. I don't want to see him burned out as well.
19Yzerman19
Registered User
- Jul 17, 2004
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It only works if it is a Canadian D-Man being taken first.
Yep
Just ask Chris Phillips
I am curious to see how Ekblad plays the second half of the season since he has been averaging like 22 minutes TOI per game. Dude must be in super shape if he can keep it up considering the big gap between jr hockey and NHL.
Paxon
202? Stanley Cup Champions
I think guys who have great production in their rookie seasons (or any season) are always at risk of "underwhelming" production the next year even if their level of play remains more or less constant, just because of how much goes into putting up that kind of production. That's especially true of defenseman. If guys aren't converting on your outlet passes, tipping your shots, or screening the goalie, you can only do so much. Variance in PP effectiveness also impacts guys a lot. So, it wouldn't surprise me if his numbers dip.
Another thing that's common is that guys break into the league in protected roles, then struggle in tougher roles. Almost everyone breaks into soft roles in this league, especially teenagers. That's not the case with Ekblad, though. He's not going to see some great step up in minutes, competition, or zone usage. I don't see that being a factor at all.
The last factor is all mental. Even the most level-headed, smart athletes might for one reason or another go into their second season feeling a bit too comfortable or, conversely, finding the expectations they set to get into their heads a bit. You can never really be sure who that hits but there's no reason to assume Ekblad will fall victim to it.
TL;DR I don't think his level of play will slump. Perhaps for a stretch, just as it might this season, but I don't think he'll have a down year. I could see his numbers dipping independent of his play. The more intriguing question for me is where does his career go from here? How much better will he get? With how good a rookie season he's having, I'm guessing a lot of people will be disappointed if he doesn't become Shea Weber-level good, which isn't really fair.
IceManCat
#StanleyCupChampions2024🏆
We are actually seeing his first slump of the season these past 4-5 games. His play has dropped off a bit, its more than likely due to him being tired its not easy playing in NHL as an 18 year old. He looks tired out there and is forcing offensive plays a bit. I'm sure with this break he will go back to normal.
I am not exposed
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NHL Dude 120
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Whats scary is imagine lets say hypothetically florida took seth jones and they took ekblad they could one day have a tandem of Ekblad on the first pairing and seth jones on the second. that being said he has to be in the discussion for the calder. right now its a toss up between him and foresberg
