The Florida Panthers are entering the final few weeks of the season and are trying to grab the top spot in the Atlantic Division. The defending Stanley Cup champions trail the Toronto Maple Leafs by one point with a 43-25-3 record and 89 points.
However, the team is being held back by injuries to Brad Marchand, Dmitry Kulikov, and Matthew Tkachuk, along with a suspension to Aaron Ekblad. They haven’t been 100% since returning from the 4 Nations Face-Off break, and with inconsistent performances of late, the team’s missing links could cost them the Division title unless they turn it around quickly.
Aaron Ekblad
Defenseman Aaron Ekblad‘s absence is a shock. He was suspended for 20 games after violating the NHL and NHLPA’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs.
“Ultimately, I made a mistake by taking something to help me recover from recent injuries without first checking with proper medical and team personnel,” Ekblad said. “I have let my teammates, the Panthers organization and our great fans down. For that, I am truly sorry. I have accepted responsibility for my mistake and will be fully prepared to return to my team when my suspension is over. I have learned a hard lesson and cannot wait to be back with my teammates.”
– Aaron Ekblad on his positive drug test
He will not be eligible to return to the Panthers’ lineup until Game 3 of the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Aaron Ekblad has spent his entire 11-season career with the Florida Panthers (Jess Starr/The Hockey Writers)
This is one of the biggest hits to the roster because it was so unexpected. The team managed to get Seth Jones from the Chicago Blackhawks before the 2025 Trade Deadline, but he may not be enough of a stopgap to fill the void Ekblad left on the blue line.
Brad Marchand
General manager Bill Zito shook the hockey world when he acquired long-time Boston Bruins forward and captain Brad Marchand. It only cost him a conditional second-round pick in the 2027 NHL Entry Draft.
Unfortunately, he was sidelined on March 1 with an upper-body injury and is listed as week-to-week. On the bright side, according to head coach Paul Maurice, his long-awaited appearance is expected to come Friday night against the Utah Hockey Club. With more reps, he should be a key piece for the Panthers to get another shot at the Cup.
Dmitry Kulikov
Defenseman Dmitry Kulikov suffered an upper-body injury against the New York Islanders on March 16 and is also listed as week-to-week. This is a massive blow to the roster, leaving the defensive pairings very thin on depth. As a result, the team called up Tobias Bjornfot. However, Kulikov is expected to return before the end of the regular season, giving him some games before the playoffs begin.
Matthew Tkachuk
Forward Matthew Tkachuk has been out of the lineup since the 4-Nations Face-Off, where he injured his groin. The team has since placed him on long-term injured reserve (LTIR) to allocate his $9.5 million cap hit elsewhere.
The timetable for his return remains unknown, but the Panthers would like to have him back for the playoffs, considering he has thrived in the past two postseasons.
Can the Panthers Overcome the Absences?
The Atlantic Division race is extremely tight. One point separates the Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Maple Leafs for the top spot. Unfortunately, the Panthers will have to limp to the finish line this season.
The plan is to stay afloat down the stretch. If they can secure a high seed, the path to repeat as champions will be a little easier, especially once everyone on the roster is 100%.
