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Aaron Ekblad's Excuse For How He Was Busted by The NHL For PEDs
Photo credit: Sportsnet
Aaron Ekblad of the Florida Panthers was suspended for 20 games for taking PEDs, per the CBA he is suspended for 20 games even though is reasoning seems innocent.
The NHL last suspended a player in 2018 for PEDs, and that was Nate Schmidt, Aaron Erkblad's teammate in Florida.
Ekblad's suspension, puts him in the spotlight in all the wrong ways, given the fact that the team will have to bolster their blue line with depth to fill the 20-game gap left by the top defenseman.
NEW YORK (March 10, 2025) - Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad has been suspended for 20 games, without pay, for violating the terms of the NHL/NHLPA Performance Enhancing Substances Program.
Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, the suspension is accompanied by mandatory referral to the NHL/NHLPA Program for Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health for evaluation and possible treatment.
The National Hockey League will have no further comment on this matter.
Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, the suspension is accompanied by mandatory referral to the NHL/NHLPA Program for Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health for evaluation and possible treatment.
The National Hockey League will have no further comment on this matter.
Ironically, it could be Seth Jones, a former Blackhawk who steps up in his absence.
Since his 20-game suspension was issued without hesitation, Ekblad issued a statement to help us understand what led to the failure of his drug test.
According to Aaron Ekblad, he failed to check in with medical personnel before taking a substance that would help him recover from an injury.
His lack of due diligence will harm the Florida Panthers who are Stanley Cup hopefuls once again in 2024-2025.
Now, they'll have to be without the pending UFA, who will have to consider how his actions reflect on himself, and his team in July.
When it comes to negotiations in the summer, will it harm his camp's position when they inevitably ask for more term or money?
It seems likely.
For now, GM Bill Zito and the Panthers will have to adjust the lineup in the midst of their top-defenseman foul-up.
The Windsor, ONT native has played 56 games for the Panthers this season and has scored 33 points (3 goals, 30 assists).
He'll miss the first two playoff games of 2025, leaving the Panthers short-handed.
| POLL | ||
MARS 10 | 310 ANSWERS Aaron Ekblad's Excuse For How He Was Busted by The NHL For PEDs Do you think defenseman Aaron Ekblad of the Florida Panthers should have been suspended for his PED usage, without consulting medical personnel first? | ||
| Yes | 236 | 76.1 % |
| No | 74 | 23.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
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