Aaron Ekblad's Latest Comments Deal Blow to Maple Leafs' Offseason Hopes
Photo credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images
Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad revealed his desire to stay with Florida, which means a potential destination swap to Toronto might be out of the question.
As he continues to fight for a Stanley Cup in 2025, Panthers defensman Aaron Ekblad needs to think about his potential future, given that he is a pending free agent and one of the more sought after targets this summer.
Aaron Ekblad feeling sunny about Florida
While he is going to be a big target, there might be a chance that other teams won't even get a chance to field an offer.
Speaking with media about his pending free agency and where he might want to go, Ekblad relented he loves his current situation and would more than likely want it to continue:
I live and breathe for the Florida Panthers. I bleed for the Florida Panthers.
I've given my body and everything to this team.
I want to keep doing it forever, for as long as they'll let me keep coming to the rink. - Aaron Ekblad
I've given my body and everything to this team.
I want to keep doing it forever, for as long as they'll let me keep coming to the rink. - Aaron Ekblad
Being a mainstay for the team over the past 11 seasons, the former first overall pick has 380 points in 762 games, winning a Cup with Florida last season and winning the Calder in 2014-15.
Ekblad has gotten into some trouble though in his career, having multiple suspensions as well as a 20-game ban for PED's earlier this season.
Ekblad's comments mean teams like Toronto are out of luck
It feels like it's been less the Maple Leafs and more the Blue Jays when it comes to free agency.
The team often comes runner-up to other markets, and with Ekblad seemingly staying put; the team is out yet again on a premium free agent.
In the past it might have been a badge of honour to wear the Leafs jersey, but given the financial and media pressures, and the fact the team has consistently failed with top-tier talent, it seems like a destination players want to avoid.
He could have helped immensely too, and would have been the frontrunner to play with Morgan Rielly, while a player like Brandon Carlo would more than likely slide to the third pair (though Rielly could also be a trade candidate as well).
But much like other free agents and trade options, they seem to want to avoid Toronto like the plague, and while they'll have plenty of offers; are they going to secure the big fish they actually covet?
No amount of money seems to be enough to sway Aaron Ekblad at least, which means the Maple Leafs have to go back to square one, as they see another potential free agent target drop off the board.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 6 | 477 ANSWERS Aaron Ekblad's Latest Comments Deal Blow to Maple Leafs' Offseason Hopes Do you think Aaron Ekblad would have been a good fit for the Maple Leafs? | ||
| Yes, we need a defender like him! | 338 | 70.9 % |
| No, too much baggage attached! | 139 | 29.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
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