Aaron Ekblad of the Florida Panthers has spoken out after receiving a 20-game suspension for violating the NHL's performance-enhancing drug policy, claiming the infraction was an inadvertent mistake. While he cannot return to game action until the third playoff game, he is back practicing with the team. Ekblad expressed regret for letting down his teammates and fans, emphasizing his commitment to recover from this setback. His absence has compounded the challenges for a Panthers team already missing several key players, including Matthew Tkachuk and Aleksander Barkov.

This season has been particularly tough for Ekblad, who has been unable to participate in team activities during the suspension but has kept himself in shape through solo workouts. Panthers head coach Paul Maurice noted the positive impact of Ekblad's presence in practice, describing him as a vital asset to the team's defense.