With the NHL playoffs nearing, the defending Stanley Cup champions, the Florida Panthers, have been dominating the Atlantic Division. Over the past few weeks however, the team has created concern as to where in the standings they will sit when the season ends. The team has struggled lately while missing key players to injuries such as Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Bennett, and newly acquired forward Brad Marchand. In a shocking turn of events, the team made headlines after suffering another major blow to their lineup by losing defenseman Aaron Ekblad to a lengthy suspension of 20 games on March 10.

The suspension came as a major surprise to the NHL as Ekblad was deemed to have violated NHL terms regarding performance enhancing substances. Ekblad received the suspension after failing a random drug test administered by the Panthers organization. Ekblad’s unfortunate and unexpected failure of the test was believed to be linked to a recent struggle with numerous injuries. While recovering from these injuries, it is believed Ekblad received unauthorized medicinal substances that are classified as performance enhancing under NHL rules. Ekblad made a public apology following the suspension stating that he failed to have the substances cleared by the medical staff of the Panthers.

Ekblad’s suspension puts additional strain on the Panthers and their roster as they push for the playoffs as he will be missing the remainder of the regular season. His absence on defense is expected to be a factor in what seed the Panthers will earn for the playoffs this year. Ekblad will be eligible to return to the ice by the third game of the first round of playoffs. The Panthers hope that with him and other crucial players returning shortly, the team will be able to perform at their best to finish the season and make a significant playoff run.