Florida Panthers Bend NHL Rules to Get Star Defenseman Aaron Ekblad Back From Suspension Early

The NHL has apparently elected to bend the rules for Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad's suspension.

Last month, Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad was suspended twenty games for violating the league's illegal substances policy.

It was a huge blow to the Panthers, who were challenging for the Atlantic division title.

Now that race is down to the Toronto Maple Leafs and Tampa Bay Lightning.

That being said, the Panthers have clinched a playoff birth and very well could be on their way to their second Stanley Cup final in as many years.

Traditionally, when players are suspended in the NHL, they are not allowed to participate in team activities at all.

Today however, it appears as though the NHL has made an exception as Ekblad was cleared by the league and the Player's Association to resume team activities this morning.