Speculation: Where does Ekblad sign as a free agent?

[I am not exposed]

His speech at the parade sounded like a goodbye one to Florida.

He will be highly sought after.

 

[MasterMatt25]

Dallas if they get the cap space

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

somewhere boring like Seattle or Utah

 

[Johnny Concussion]

I still think he signs in Anaheim for some reason.

 

[Some Other Flame]

San Jose for like 9M a year

 

[matt trick]

San Jose for like 9M a year

Fine with that. We have two guys I’d like to see on the team 2+ years from now, and they are both left handed. 3 years as our #1, 2 years as a #3, 1 year as a #4/5 and 1 year where we wish he was gone.

He’d bring:
1) Upgrade on f***ing Liljigren as PPQB
2) A veteran mentor for Dickinson, Muk, and any other young dmen we bring in
3) Someone to eat minutes against top competition
4) A legitimate top 4 Dman (we have between 0 and 2 until Dickinson is ready)
5) The ability to bump everyone else down a slot

Unfortunately I think he’ll end on a competitive team with cap space of which there are plenty.

 

[SML2]

Very injury prone player IMO. Perfect fit for Vegas or Tampa where you can hibernate all season as long as you're magically okay for the post season.

 

[Rare Jewel]

Detroit Red Wings.

 

[Pablo El Perro]

Red Wings or Utah make sense.

 

[PeoriaBlues309]

St. Louis

 

[jetsforever]

Still Florida

 

[Hamilton Bulldogs]

Hurricanes

 

[HockeyVirus]

Feels like the new Phaneuf contract about to be signed. He might give a team a year or two of top 4 play and then is going to be a problem.

I am petrified Treliving is going to offer it. Hopefully Ekblad doesn't want to come here.

 

[Zetterberg4Captain]

Either Florida or he takes his Teo rings and goes to Detroit go be 15mins from both his and his wife's family

 

[TotalHomer]

Anaheim or Detroit

 

[Vipers31]

This has had Ducks fans discussing for a good while. Not sure about the credibility, but it’s entirely realistic that Verbeek would like him and provide a third veteran right-shot to the defense along with Trouba and Gudas to lead the youth of Lacombe, Mintyukov and Zellweger. I imagine we’ll indeed be in the mix.

 

[trellaine201]

He hasn't played a full season in years. Buyer beware on anything long term.

 

[chaser17]

He hasn't played a full season in years. Buyer beware on anything long term.

Panthers brass know this better than anybody, which is why he isn't already signed and he'll be the odd man out. Even with RHD being a premium position in the league.

 

[NVious]

Feels like the new Phaneuf contract about to be signed. He might give a team a year or two of top 4 play and then is going to be a problem.

I am petrified Treliving is going to offer it. Hopefully Ekblad doesn't want to come here.

This team only has 4-5 years left "contending" if you can call it that, there is nothing to lose at this point

 

[Pinkfloyd]

Anaheim makes the most sense to me but I’m hoping for the Sharks to get him even with his injury history.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

His speech at the parade sounded like a goodbye one to Florida.

He will be highly sought after.

What did he say?

 

[duckpuck]

Dallas if they get the cap space

How would Dallas get the cap space? I'm under the impression they are having cap issues w/o accounting for a new high $$ contract.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

If I were Treliving I woud be in on Ekblad.

A right side of Ekblad, Tanev and Carlo woud be ridiculous

 

[OVO16]

Anaheim or maybe Detroit

 

[thomast]

It might be a huge mistake to let him go. He is one of the longest-serving members of the team and has amazing chemistry with Forsling. He’s big, tough, a proven winner, and good at moving the puck.

If they lose him, they’ll have to find a replacement. Burns has a similar profile, but he’s pretty much cooked at this point. I believe Burns being brought in as a 1 year replacement for Ekblad, but it’s a huge downgrade.

Next year, Makar is the only major RHD set to hit UFA, but I highly doubt he’ll leave the Avalanche. I believe losing Ekblad a year earlier would come back to haunt them, even if the Panthers have more cap space to work with by then.

If I had to choose, I’d prioritize keeping Ekblad over Marchand.