The Detroit Red Wings are named the ideal landing spot for Florida Panthers star defenseman Aaron Ekblad.
Ekblad completed his eight-year, $60 million deal with the Panthers and helped Florida win back-to-back Stanley Cups. However, with the Panthers in a cap crunch, Ekblad could leave in free agency, and NHL analyst Matt Larkin of DailyFaceoff named the Red Wings the best landing spot for the hard-hitting defenseman.
“It’s no secret the Wings desperately need help on their blueline to support Simon Edvinsson and Moritz Seider,” Larkin wrote. “That’s why I suggested them as key suitors to watch in potential trades for Rasmus Andersson and Noah Dobson. While they absolutely have the necessary pick-and-prospect capital to make pitches for either blueliner…
“GM Steve Yzerman could also spend “only” money to land Ekblad. He hasn’t lived up to the promise that made him the 2014 NHL Draft’s No. 1 overall pick,” Larkin added. “But, he’s a top-pair workhorse and two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Panthers. He’d be a significant upgrade over the likes of Justin Holl and Jeff Petry.”
Ekblad can be a top-four defenseman and add some physicality and leadership to the Red Wings’ blue line. The 29-year-old, meanwhile, is from Windsor, Ontario, which is just across the border from Detroit, so he could play close to home.
Ekblad recorded 3 goals and 30 assists for 33 points in 56 games last season with the Panthers.
Ekblad Wants to Stay With Panthers
Although Larkin is linking Ekblad to the Red Wings, the former first overall pick has made it clear he wants to stay in Florida.
Ekblad has had a lot of success with Florida, and during the Stanley Cup celebration, the defenseman has said he wants to be back.
“That’s part of who I am at this point,’’ Ekblad said during exit day at Amerant Bank Arena. “I’ve spent 11 years here, and that’s more than I’ve spent in any home or city in my life. So it’s home, and I expect it to be home…
“Conversations have been had, obviously nothing material yet,” Ekblad added. “But they’ll be working on it. Things seem to come down to the last minute here.’’
Ekblad is second in games played in Florida history with 732, behind Aleksander Barkov. Among defensemen, he’s first in Panthers franchise history in goals, assists, and points.
Red Wings GM Confident Team Will Land Free Agents
Detroit has missed the playoffs in nine straight years, which could turn some free agents away from them.
However, Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman is confident that the team will be able to land top free agents.
“It all comes down to what are they looking for? What’s important to them? Are they trying to win a Stanley Cup? Are they looking to put the most money in their pockets as they can? Do they want to play with their buddy? So, I didn’t see that (playoff drought) as an issue last year and I don’t anticipate that as an issue this year,” Yzerman said. “And I think you look at our team and it’s an enticing opportunity to play alongside some of these guys and really make a difference on a team that’s trying to take another step.”
Detroit enters the offseason with just over $21.3 million in cap space.
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