Speculation: Will Aaron Ekblad be extended by Florida?

[TotalHomer]

I’ve thought since the big trade that Ek would end up Calgary, we’ll see if it happens.

They would then have the same group in Calgary that was supposedly running the room in Florida during the debacle against the Tampa in the playoffs Huby booking strip joints already in Calgary. I mean, if Ek hits the market I could definitely see Calgary in the mix and ready to throw money at him.

I wonder if Florida would be interested if Andersson was available. Style, age, AAV, familiarity with some of your guys makes him a good fit.

Interest sure but I don't think Zito is willing to get into a bidding war. Plus Andersson is looking to cash in as an UFA, he isn't getting that in Florida.

 

[Dabeast]

On what basis? Games played? This is a pretty huge stretch, he's been a good player not great.


Not sure which poll you are referring to. It all comes down to what he wants, I don't think there are more than one or two people who would want to see him gone no matter what.

It's what you get when you go 1st OA and then don't deliver, it's a tough business.

He’ll retire as a career, or almost career Panther, having won 1+ Stanley Cups as the team’s 1RD, and will have every team career defenseman record in the books. It’s not like the Panthers have a ton of retired numbers that justifies keeping him out.

I’d argue with him not delivering. Sure he’s not a McDavid or Matthews level 1oa pick, but at this point he’s given his team 10 years of service, most of them at a top pair level, and at his peak (which was unfortunately only a couple injury shortened years) he was going to be a fringe Norris nominee.

His leg injuries are the biggest question. He’s elite at cutting guys off coming into the zone, but he’s too slow to catch a guy if they get past him. Fully trust Zito here, also depends on what happens with Benny imo.

Yeah the injuries are for sure an issue. His foot speed was never a + and it’s 100% a flaw in his game at this point. Gone are the days of him being on PP1 and being a real elite 2 way guy, but as far as what he does well he’s still among the best in the game at it. If he never had those back to back serious LBIs and was playing at the level he did before them he’d easily be a 9M+ player even with the discounts the Panthers have been getting from just about everyone.

 

[elmaco]

He’ll retire as a career, or almost career Panther, having won 1+ Stanley Cups as the team’s 1RD, and will have every team career defenseman record in the books. It’s not like the Panthers have a ton of retired numbers that justifies keeping him out.

I’d argue with him not delivering. Sure he’s not a McDavid or Matthews level 1oa pick, but at this point he’s given his team 10 years of service, most of them at a top pair level, and at his peak (which was unfortunately only a couple injury shortened years) he was going to be a fringe Norris nominee.


Yeah the injuries are for sure an issue. His foot speed was never a + and it’s 100% a flaw in his game at this point. Gone are the days of him being on PP1 and being a real elite 2 way guy, but as far as what he does well he’s still among the best in the game at it. If he never had those back to back serious LBIs and was playing at the level he did before them he’d easily be a 9M+ player even with the discounts the Panthers have been getting from just about everyone.

Feels like copium, comparing him to other high picks makes him look even more bad. You could've had Drai.

 

[Dabeast]

Feels like copium, comparing him to other high picks makes him look even more bad. You could've had Drai.

Could’ve would’ve should’ve. I’m dealing in the reality that we’re currently in, and in that reality the Florida Panthers drafted Aaron Ekblad 1st overall on 2014. Whether or not he was the best possible pick in hindsight doesn’t mean that he didn’t work out well for the selecting team.

 

[elmaco]

Could’ve would’ve should’ve. I’m dealing in the reality that we’re currently in, and in that reality the Florida Panthers drafted Aaron Ekblad 1st overall on 2014. Whether or not he was the best possible pick in hindsight doesn’t mean that he didn’t work out well for the selecting team.

Well that is common sense, there's still no harm in reflecting on Ekblad and his career. What can the Panthers do better as an organisation to scout better, were there any "red flags" that we now know could've caused him to not achieve that superstar status. I'm coming from a fans perspective, not a hater.

 

[blackjackmulligan]

Flyers going to trade a last 1st for his and Bennents rights!!!

 

[Figgy44]

They would then have the same group in Calgary that was supposedly running the room in Florida during the debacle against the Tampa in the playoffs Huby booking strip joints already in Calgary. I mean, if Ek hits the market I could definitely see Calgary in the mix and ready to throw money at him.




Interest sure but I don't think Zito is willing to get into a bidding war. Plus Andersson is looking to cash in as an UFA, he isn't getting that in Florida.

I think the difference is that Calgary has a veteran leadership core that might keep the guys in line and the bet would be that we could refocus Ekblad here. We've already seen Weegar and Huberdeau make huge strides in their mindset while here. Lomberg also immediately took on a sort of mentoring attitude and role when he returned. I don't recall him doing that in Florida or before he left Calgary. The hilarity of transplanting that locker room core here isn't lost on me though.

By the time Andersson is looking to cash in as a UFA, I believe Florida will have enough cap space to offer him something competitive. I honestly can't imagine him demanding a contract bigger than Chucky's contract and by that time the salary cap will have increased enough that it shouldn't be a big problem to offer him such a contract.

Fair point on the bidding war concerns though. I'd assume that Florida would still be in the mix to the end though as the loss of Ekblad without a suitable top 4 RD replacement of a certain style could affect how the d corps has to play. As much as it is likely a valid complaint that Forsling is constantly covering for him, I think losing Ekblad and having a poor replacement for him would be a bigger issue for Florida than keeping him around.

I hope you guys are able to figure it out though. I like the style of team that Zito has built. A few of us Flames fans believe it was what Treliving and Burke were trying to build here, but we never had the higher end talent like you guys did to really finish off the build.