Aaron Ekblad will return to the Florida Panthers lineup Wednesday night after completing a two-game suspension. The 29-year-old defenseman was penalized for elbowing Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brandon Hagel in Game 4 of their first-round series.
The incident, which sent Hagel out of the game with a head injury, drew no penalty on the ice but resulted in supplemental discipline from the NHL’s Department of Player Safety.
Aaron Ekblad Speaks on Elbowing Brandon Hagel
Ekblad, speaking publicly for the first time since the suspension, defended the hit but acknowledged the outcome was unfortunate.
“I was coming for his chest. I caught him in the chin and that’s unfortunate,” Ekblad told reporters after the team’s morning skate. “But it’s not my intention. I’m never out to hurt anybody on the ice.”
The Panthers blueliner has missed 22 of Florida’s last 24 games due to suspensions. Before the Hagel incident, he had just returned from a 20-game ban for unknowingly taking a performance-enhancing substance while rehabbing an injury.
Despite these setbacks, Ekblad is set to rejoin Florida’s top defensive pair alongside Gustav Forsling in a pivotal Game 2 of the second-round series in Toronto.
"Purposefully going for someone's head, it's as bad as it gets"
"You only get one brain"
Brandon Hagel with some poignant comments regarding the hit by Panthers D Aaron Ekblad that concussed the Lightning forward & had Ekblad suspended for two games.
He added that if Barkov… pic.twitter.com/UxeLqplBjR
— Jay Recher (@jayRecher) May 2, 2025
Ekblad’s hit on Hagel sparked debate across the hockey world. Many saw it as retaliation—Hagel had earlier been suspended for a high hit on Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov. During the Lightning’s locker cleanout, Hagel didn’t mince words, saying Ekblad’s elbow was “as purposeful as you could possibly see.”
Ekblad didn’t respond directly but called Hagel’s reaction “reasonable.” He maintained his stance that there was no intent to injure and declined to reveal whether the two had spoken since the incident.
“It’s been a whirlwind of a season,” Ekblad admitted. “It’s not the way I scripted it, but we’re in the playoffs now. It’s a great opportunity to play hockey.”
Despite the controversy, Panthers head coach Paul Maurice emphasized how much the team values Ekblad’s presence.
“We’ve missed him,” Maurice said. “He’s a big part of what we do.”
Ekblad will be back on the penalty kill and second power play unit, hoping to help even the series after Florida’s Game 1 loss to Toronto.
Aaron Ekblad’s Return Highlights Key Lineup Shifts for Game 2
With Ekblad back in, Florida is also shaking things up. Rookie Mackie Samoskevich returns after being a healthy scratch for three games. He will replace A.J. Greer on the fourth line alongside Nico Sturm and Jesper Boqvist.
Samoskevich, who tallied 31 points in 72 regular-season games, expressed excitement about getting back into the lineup.
“Definitely pumped up to get back in with the guys and play the game that I know,” the 22-year-old said.
Coach Maurice pointed out that the playoff intensity was a learning curve for the rookie, and his return offers a chance to apply those lessons.
Meanwhile, Toronto will be without goaltender Anthony Stolarz due to a concussion suffered in Game 1. Joseph Woll is set to start in net, with Matt Murray backing him up.
Puck drop for Game 2 is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET at Scotiabank Arena. With Aaron Ekblad back on the ice, Florida hopes his experience and stability can spark a bounce-back performance.