The Panthers might be lacking an enormous piece of their blue line for the remainder of the season.
Defenseman Aaron Ekblad was handed a 20-game suspension by the NHL on Monday for “violating the phrases of the NHL/NHLPA Efficiency Enhancing Substances Program.”
Ekblad won’t be paid in the course of the size of his suspension and his ban is accompanied by a compulsory referral to the joint program between the NHL and the NHL Gamers Affiliation for for substance abuse and behavioral well being for analysis and potential remedy, the NHL stated.
In an announcement by Ekblad launched by the NHLPA, he stated stated that it got here as “a shock” that he failed the random drug check, however in the end took accountability for the error that induced it.
“Because the NHL introduced, I’ve been suspended for violating the NHL/NHLPA Efficiency Enhancing Substances Program. The information that I had failed a random drug check was a shock. Finally, I made a mistake by taking one thing to assist me get well from current accidents with out first checking with correct medical and crew personnel,” he stated. “I’ve let my teammates, the Panthers group and our nice followers down. For that, I’m actually sorry. I’ve accepted accountability for my mistake and might be absolutely ready to return to my crew when my suspension is over. I’ve discovered a tough lesson and can’t wait to be again with my teammates.”
Monday was the primary time the NHL has suspended a participant for violating the league’s PED program since September 2018, when then-Golden Knights defenseman Nate Schmidt received banned for a similar problem.
In an odd twist, Schmidt is presently a teammate of Ekblad’s in Florida.
However in contrast to Eklbad, Schmidt didn’t take the suspension evenly, saying in a statement at the time that he “didn’t agree with the suspension” and “won’t settle for being labeled a cheater.”
Ekblad has appeared in 56 video games this season for the Panthers, posting 30 factors (3 G, 30 A). He helped lead Florida to a Stanley Cup final season.
Ekblad is within the remaining 12 months of his eight-year contract and slated to be a free agent this upcoming offseason.
