The defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers will be without their alternate captain Aaron Ekblad because of a serious rules violation.

Defenceman Aaron Ekblad has been suspended 20 games for violating the terms of the NHL/NHLPA performance enhancing substances program, the league announced Monday.

Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad has been suspended 20 games without pay for violating the NHL and NHL Players Association’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs

That’s what you want. I mean, ultimately, we chase the Stanley Cup. You want a chance at playing for that every single year. To be able to be part of a team that has that opportunity again this year,

"As soon as we added him in the group chat, he was chirping," Bennett said. "His first message was a chirp. Right away. You love that. It breaks the ice. That's just who he is, and we're excited to have that personality here."

SUNRISE, Fla. – Florida Panthers President of Hockey Operations & General Manager Bill Zito announced today that the club has acquired forward Brad Marchand from the Boston Bruins in exchange for a conditional second-round selection in the 2027 NHL Draft.