According to ESPN's Greg Wyshynski, Aaron Ekblad is that asset for the Florida Panthers. Ekblad is playing on an expiring contract with 26 points through 56 games in 2024-25. Wyshynski reports ...

The Florida Panthers and Chicago Blackhawks combined for the latest NHL blockbuster trade, sending defenseman Seth Jones to the defending Stanley Cup champions.

Ekblad registered a power-play assist, had two PIM, and provided three hits in Monday's 2-1 win against Tampa Bay.

- The Panthers are the fourth team in the NHL to reach 40 wins. - Vitek Vanecek is the third goaltender in Panthers history to record a shutout in his team debut. - Sam Bennett went 7-for-8 (87.5%) in the faceoff circle.

We are looking forward to buckling down and moving forward to focus on being the best team we can be and going as far as we can go.’

A potent one-two punch of the top line, Barkov and Sam Reinhart led the charge up front for the Panthers, with each superstar forward registering a goal and two assists in the win. Notching an assist, Aaron Ekblad extended his point streak to five games.

Vanecek becomes the third goaltender in Panthers history to log a shutout in his franchise debut. The others: Chris Driedger against the Nashville Predators on Nov. 30, 2019, and Jose Theodore against the New York Islanders on Oct. 8, 2011.

Sergei Bobrovsky of the Florida Panthers is making a strong case for his third Vezina Trophy all while joining elite company among the best goaltenders in NHL history.

Vitek Vanecek stopped all 21 shots he faced in his Florida debut, and the Panthers beat the Buffalo Sabres 4-0 on Saturday night. A.J. Greer, Carter Verhaeghe, Anton Lundell and Sam Bennett all scored as the Panthers won their sixth-straight game.

He has more than lived up to expectations and has been rewarded for it. The Panthers announced Tuesday it has signed Boqvist to a two-year contract extension. The deal is reportedly worth $1.5 million per year.

Florida wrapped up their five-game homestand on Saturday night with a fifth straight win, taking down the Buffalo Sabres by a 4-0 final score. On this night, it was Florida’s new-look fourth line that got things started for the Cats.