NHL Insider Confirms Aaron Ekblad's Future with Florida Panthers

While he recently said that he wants to remain with the Panthers, a noted NHL analyst has a different take.

ESPN's Greg Wyshynski recently joined 'The Sheet' with Jeff Marek to discuss the ongoing SCF along with several of the pending UFAs that the Panthers have, including Ekblad.

Wyshynski believes that Ekblad will depart on the open market despite saying that he wants to remain in Florida.

The Panthers helped to beef up their defensive corps with the acquisition of Seth Jones from the Chicago Blackhawks earlier in the year, a move that has worked out tremendously well so far for them.

If the Panthers try to re-sign both Sam Bennett and Brad Marchand, it could potentially be Ekblad who finds himself on the odd-man out financially.

He was asked recently about the prospects of staying with the Panthers, and he made it clear that's his intention.

I live and breathe for the Florida Panthers. I bleed for the Florida Panthers. I've given my body and everything to this team. I want to keep doing it forever, for as long as they let me come to the rink.

Ekblad has 12 points (4G, 8A) in 16 postseason games for the Panthers, who are back in the SCF for the 3rd straight year.