Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad reacts to losing Huberdeau, Weegar; also reacts to adding Matthew Tkachuk
As a hockey fan, it's exciting when big trades happen that can alter the course of both NHL clubs. Unfortunately, there is another side to the whole thing, which is the human aspect of it all. Granted, teams need to make tough decisions that are good for business, but the decisions they make - even if they are good for business - can also impact their team on a human level.
Last month, we saw the Florida Panthers deal Jonathan Huberdeau, MacKenzie Weegar, a 1st round pick and a prospect to the Calgary Flames for antagonist and superstar winger Matthew Tkachuk. Panthers GM Bill Zito knew he wouldn't be able to afford to extend both Huberdeau and Weegar, so he made what he thought was good use of two quality assets and packaged them in a deal for a 24-year-old franchise winger. The problem is that those two assets happened to be Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad's best friends on the team. Ekblad revealed to the Miami Herald this week that the loss of Huberdeau and Weegar have had a huge impact on him. He also touched on his first exchange with the incoming Tkachuk and what it will mean to have a player like that on the team.
Ekblad has emerged as one of the best two-way defensemen in the league over the past few seasons. Last year was a career year for the 26-year-old, who posted 16 goals and a career-high 42 assists for 57 points in just 61 games in a season that was cut short by a significant injury - his second significant injury in as many seasons. The 2014 1st overall pick was limited to just 35 games in 2020-21 as well.
| POLL | ||
1 SEPTEMBRE | 151 ANSWERS Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad reacts to losing Huberdeau, Weegar; also reacts to adding Matthew Tkachuk Will Ekblad play all 82 games in the 2022-23 season after two injury-riddled campaigns? | ||
| Yes | 24 | 15.9 % |
| No | 127 | 84.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
