Florida Panthers: Aaron Ekblad Expected to Break Out in 2019-20

Heading into the new season with a brand new coaching staff and systems, Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad is expected to break out offensively in 2019-20.

For Aaron Ekblad, who has been on the cusp of breaking out offensively over the past couple of seasons, will be heading into a pivotal year with a lot at stake.

Of course, while Ekblad looks to achieve his set goals from the beginning of the season, he also has an obligation to put the team’s success first, ensuring that the Florida Panthers‘ number 1 objective is being met: making the playoffs.

Booking a spot for the postseason won’t be an easy task to accomplish, but if Ekblad can really pull up his socks and produce consistently throughout the course of the season, the Panthers should have a good shot of at least finishing as a wild-card team.

For Ekblad personally, however, the goal will be to raise his point total and get in on more of the scoring action. More specifically, that means that his assist total will have to go up if there’s going to be any chance of a breakout year occurring.

On the other hand, his goalscoring – which has unquestionably been his greatest trait – shouldn’t be of any concern seeing his previous tallies. Since entering the league, Ekblad has hit the double-digit mark (10+ goals) in all five seasons – a rare sighting from a defenseman.

With a brand new coaching staff implementing a totally different defensive system, defensemen like Ekblad will finally have the essential structure put in place to succeed as players.

Jack Capuano‘s defensive system didn’t fit the mold of the players that were present at hand. Moreover, it really impacted what Ekblad could do, keeping him in positions that weren’t ideal.

If Ekblad is going to finally hatch out of his cocoon, then Florida really needs to consider getting him a new defensive partner. That means separating Keith Yandle from Ekblad, placing the two on separate pairings.

Yandle’s offensive-minded game just doesn’t suit the style that Ekblad needs from his partner. Ekblad – who was at his very best alongside Brian Campbell – needs that type of defenseman who will have his back at all times.

Part of the reason why Ekblad hasn’t broken out offensively is because of the partnership he’s had with Yandle, which hasn’t allowed him to do his thing offensively. Instead, Ekblad has been turned into a shutdown defenseman, expected to cover up for Yandle’s mistake.

Again, in order to get full use out of Ekblad and his game, you cannot deploy him as a defensive defenseman, and you most certainly cannot pair him with another offensive-minded d-man.

The ideal partner is similar to Campbell, in which he allows Ekblad to drive play up the ice and join in on the rushes to provide a fourth scoring option behind the forwards.

Ideally, if all goes as planned and Ekblad finally hits the strides he’s been expected to take over the last two seasons, seeing him bank anywhere between 50-60 points is definitely not out of the realm of possibility.

This will only happen though with better usage and a partner that suits his needs. Another year with Yandle will only continue to stump his growth, and with Ekblad turning 24 in February, who knows how much growth is left in the Canadian’s game.

If the Florida Panthers are serious about booking their ticket to the Stanley Cup Playoffs, then they’re going to need everyone playing their part. That includes receiving a breakout year from defenseman Aaron Ekblad, who is key to the team’s success.

An Ekblad like we saw from his first two seasons, but who produces anywhere between 50-60+ points is a player a lot of teams won’t want to go up against, and for obvious reasons.