Aaron
Ekblad
D · FLA · Balanced · Below average
- PAL
- 28
- WAR
- -0.3
- Value
- 15
- PTS
- 26
2025-26№ 282 / 325
Aaron Ekblad (Florida Panthers) stats and profile: offensive production, ice time, advanced stats, WAR and PAL rating.
Aaron Ekblad
HEIGHT : 193 cm · WEIGHT : 100 kg · SHOOTS : R
Born : February 6, 1996 · Windsor, Canada
Drafted : 2014 · FLA · round 1, pick #1
Contract : $6,100,000 · 2025-26 → 2032-33 · Standard Contract (Extension) · UFA · Signing bonus $6,900,000NMC / M-NTC
NHL record
| Year | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-27 | Florida Panthers | 16 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 12 |
| 2025-26 | Florida Panthers | 72 | 4 | 22 | 26 | 55 |
| 2024-25 | Florida Panthers | 56 | 3 | 30 | 33 | 53 |
| 2023-24 | Florida Panthers | 51 | 4 | 14 | 18 | 50 |
| 2022-23 | Florida Panthers | 71 | 14 | 24 | 38 | 68 |
| 2021-22 | Florida Panthers | 61 | 15 | 42 | 57 | 26 |
| 2020-21 | Florida Panthers | 35 | 11 | 11 | 22 | 33 |
| 2019-20 | Florida Panthers | 67 | 5 | 36 | 41 | 26 |
| 2018-19 | Florida Panthers | 82 | 13 | 24 | 37 | 47 |
| 2017-18 | Florida Panthers | 82 | 16 | 22 | 38 | 71 |
| 2016-17 | Florida Panthers | 68 | 10 | 11 | 21 | 58 |
| 2015-16 | Florida Panthers | 78 | 15 | 21 | 36 | 41 |
| 2014-15 | Florida Panthers | 81 | 12 | 27 | 39 | 32 |
| NHL totals | 819 | 123 | 288 | 411 | 570 | |
Playoffs
| Year | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | Florida Panthers | 19 | 4 | 9 | 13 | 38 |
| 2023-24 | Florida Panthers | 24 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 16 |
| 2022-23 | Florida Panthers | 20 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 20 |
| 2021-22 | Florida Panthers | 10 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 11 |
| 2019-20 | Florida Panthers | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2015-16 | Florida Panthers | 6 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Playoff totals | 83 | 8 | 25 | 33 | 87 | |
Honours
- 🏆 Stanley Cup2 times · 2024-25, 2023-24
- 🏆 Calder Memorial Trophyonce · 2014-15
Aaron Ekblad: our analysis
2025-26 season: 72 GP, 4 G, 22 A, 26 PTS, -5 +/-, 22:29 TOI. WAR -0.3 (282nd of 325) · PAL 28, below average.
In 2025-26, Aaron Ekblad, 30, posts a PAL Rating of 28 out of 100 (below average), and his WAR of -0.3 ranks 282nd among 325 regulars, in the bottom quarter.
His strengths: penalty kill (94, among the best in the league). On the other hand, power play (2, among the weakest in the league) and defense (10, among the weakest in the league) hold him back.
Breaking down his WAR (goals above average), his biggest contribution: EV offense (+1.7); his biggest cost: EV defense (-3.0).
A marked decline: his PAL was 67 in 2024-25, against 28 now; his WAR went from -0.2 to -0.3.
Contract-wise, his Value score of 15 (very poor return) weighs his output against what he costs: 50 is what that salary should buy.
Aaron Ekblad's story
Raised in Belle River after being born in Windsor, Aaron Ekblad’s path accelerated early: Hockey Canada granted him exceptional player status in 2011, allowing him to jump into major junior a year ahead of schedule. He captained his minor midget squad and then entered the OHL as the first overall pick by the Barrie Colts, quickly becoming a focal point of their blue line.
In Barrie Ekblad earned top honours among his peers, collecting rookie recognition early in his junior career and later being named the league’s top defenceman in 2013–14. Those performances set him up for the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, where the Florida Panthers selected him with the first overall pick.
Ekblad made the Panthers’ opening-night roster in 2014–15, registered his first NHL point on October 9 and scored his first NHL goal on November 1. His rookie season culminated with selection to the 2015 NHL All-Star Game and the Calder Memorial Trophy as the league’s top rookie. Florida rewarded him with an eight-year contract extension in July 2016 and he assumed alternate-captain duties while continuing to deal with occasional absences after concussions and, later, a significant leg fracture that required surgery in March 2021.
Across his tenure with the Panthers he climbed franchise charts, becoming the defenceman with the most points and the most games played in team history. Internationally, Ekblad won gold with Canada at the 2015 World Championship and was chosen for Team North America at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, serving as an alternate captain before exiting the tournament due to injury; he was also named to Canada’s roster for the 2018 World Championship.
On the ice Ekblad blends offensive impulse from the point with significant ice time and defensive duties. A heavy shot, comfort on the power play and the ability to log big minutes have defined his role: he contributes to offence while remaining a central figure in his team’s defensive structure.
Facts drawn from Wikipédia, told in our own words.
Advanced stats
- TOI/GP
- 21:09
- PP TOI/GP
- 1:57
- SH TOI/GP
- 3:16
- Pts/GP
- 0.31
- EV points
- 3
- Hits
- 18
- Blocks
- 18
- Takeaways
- 2
- Corsi % (SAT)
- 55.4 %
- Off. zone starts
- 32.0 %
Stats and photos: NHL (NHL.com)
2026-27 projection
Projected points
24between 12 and 35 (80% range)
- Goals
- 5
- Assists
- 19
- Games
- 69
So far: 5 pts in 16 games. The team has played 18 of 84 games. Projected pace: 0.36 pts per game (last season: 0.36).
The projection follows last season's pace. Tested on 2,265 player seasons (2022-23 to 2025-26): average miss of 9 points over 82 games; for players at 0.9 points per game and up, it ran 5 points high on average.
Trend
Slight decline
- Points per game: 0.35 in 23-24, 0.36 in 25-26
- PAL Rating: 67 → 28
Outlook, age included
↘ Slight declineAge 30: prime years
This is only a projection. It knows nothing about injuries, trades or role changes; one player in five finishes outside the range.
Player ratings, 2025-26
All ratings →Fourteen ratings from 0 to 100 drawn from data, never by hand: 75 = established NHL player, 95+ = elite.
OV · OverallConfidence 84 %
74
Established NHL
- SK
- Skating
- 63
- Confidence 73 %
- ST
- Strength
- 67
- Confidence 87 %
- EN
- Endurance
- 83
- Confidence 80 %
- DU
- Durability
- 70
- Confidence 77 %
- CK
- Checking
- 77
- Confidence 87 %
- FG
- Fighting
- 80
- Confidence 61 %
- DI
- Discipline
- 62
- Confidence 87 %
- FO
- Faceoffs
- —
- PA
- Passing
- 82
- Confidence 84 %
- SC
- Scoring
- 78
- Confidence 84 %
- DF
- Defense
- 69
- Confidence 82 %
- PS
- Penalty shot
- 76
- Confidence 0 %
- EX
- Experience
- 91
- Confidence 100 %
Why these ratings?Hide details
SK — Skating63
- Top speed (35 %)34.8 · 65
- Bursts > 20 mph /60 (30 %)1.012 · 60
- Distance /60 (20 %)14.1 · 72
- Speed consistency (15 %)34 · 67
ST — Strength67
- Contact absorbed /60 (50 %)2.69 · 49
- Body mass (50 %)1.19 · 85
EN — Endurance83
- Ice time per game (45 %)21.2 · 84
- Total ice time (20 %)1,569 · 80
- Shift length (15 %)47.2 · 74
- Lowest recent ice time per game (15 %)19.3 · 80
- Special-teams time per game (5 %)4.397 · 92
DU — Durability70
- Share of games played (100 %)0.785 · 70
CK — Checking77
- Hits /60 (70 %)3.573 · 77
- Lowest seasonal rate (20 %)2.92 · 76
- Season volume (10 %)4.443 · 79
FG — Fighting80
- Fights per 82 games (100 %)0.943 · 80
DI — Discipline62
- Net penalty value /60 (50 %)-0.079 · 62
- Penalties taken /60 (30 %)0.964 · 58
- Penalties drawn /60 (20 %)0.501 · 82
PA — Passing82
- Primary assists /60 (40 %)0.508 · 84
- Secondary assists /60 (20 %)0.453 · 78
- Offensive creation (RAPM) (20 %)0.086 · 83
- Power-play points /60 (10 %)3.522 · 61
- Assist consistency (10 %)0.339 · 82
SC — Scoring78
- Goals /60 (25 %)0.21 · 75
- Individual xG /60 (20 %)0.276 · 83
- Finishing (goals − xG per shot) (20 %)-0.282 · 52
- High-danger chances /60 (15 %)0.204 · 86
- xG per shot (10 %)0.036 · 84
- Shot attempts /60 (10 %)11.1 · 80
DF — Defense69
- RAPM defense /60 (35 %)-0.074 · 62
- Relative xG against (20 %)0.143 · 64
- On-ice xG against /60 (15 %)2.637 · 74
- Penalty kill /60 (10 %)0.241 · 90
- Takeaways − giveaways /60 (10 %)-1.666 · 81
- Shot attempts against /60 (5 %)58.7 · 71
- Blocked shots /60 (5 %)3.786 · 65
PS — Penalty shot76
- Shootouts (60 %)32.7 · 76
- Penalty shots (40 %)26.7 · 76
EX — Experience91
- Career regular-season games (65 %)94
- Career playoff games (25 %)84
- NHL seasons (10 %)87
OV — Overall74
- DF · Defense (30 %)69
- PA · Passing (22 %)82
- SK · Skating (12 %)63
- SC · Scoring (12 %)78
- EN · Endurance (9 %)83
- ST · Strength (6 %)67
- DI · Discipline (5 %)62
- CK · Checking (4 %)77
| Season | OV | SK | SC | DF |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 74 | 63 | 78 | 69 |
| 2024-25 | 77 | 64 | 83 | 71 |
| 2023-24 | 80 | 71 | 89 | 77 |
| 2022-23 | 84 | 78 | 94 | 73 |
The bars show confidence (sample size), not player quality. — : not enough data, not a zero. Engine version 1.0.
WAR and PAL ratings, 2025-26
How we rate →PAL Rating scores performance from 0 to 100 against players at the same position (50 = average player), starting from the player's strength, offensive or defensive. Value Rating compares that performance with what the player costs: 50 means paid what the play is worth.
WAR
-0.3
wins above replacement
282 of 325
PAL Rating
28/ 100
Performance · Below average
179 of 250 at the position
Value Rating
15/ 100
Very poor return
6.10 M$ · expected PAL 68
ProfileBalancedNeither end dominates
- Offense
- 45
- Defense
- 38
See full detailsHide details
- Offense
- 60
- Creation
- 44
- Shooting
- 51
- Possession
- 54
- Defense
- 10
- Discipline
- 24
- Power play
- 2
- Penalty kill
- 94
From 0 to 100; 50 is the average player at the same position, adjusted for ice time.
| Season | Team | WAR | PAL | Value | Cap hit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | FLA | -0.3 | 28 | 15 | 6.10 M$ |
| 2024-25 | FLA | -0.2 | 67 | 38 | 7.50 M$ |
| 2023-24 | FLA | 0.1 | 77 | 52 | 7.50 M$ |
| 2022-23 | FLA | 0.5 | 92 | 84 | 7.50 M$ |
Hockey IQ, 2025-26
Rankings and method →The quality of the player's decisions with and against the puck at 5-on-5, against regulars at the same position (50 = average). PAL measures output; IQ measures how the player plays.
Overall IQ
52/ 100
Average
better than 52% of defensemen, offense and defense combined
Offensive IQ
84/ 100
Very good
passing, shots, puck
Defensive IQ
21/ 100
Below average
takeaways, discipline, own zone
Overall IQ isn't an average of the two scores: it's the player's rank with offense and defense combined, 107 of 225 defensemen.
See full detailsHide details
Offense
- Playmaking passes
- 60
- Shot selection
- 72
- Penalties drawn
- 76
- Puck management
- 78
Defense
- Takeaways
- 40
- Discipline
- 11
- Safe zone exits
- 62
Percentiles: 80 means better than 80% of regulars at the same position. Play without the puck (positioning, coverage) isn't measured: the NHL doesn't publish that data.
| Season | Team | IQ | Off. | Def. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | FLA | 52 | 84 | 21 |
| 2024-25 | FLA | 69 | 89 | 36 |
| 2023-24 | FLA | 44 | 79 | 21 |
| 2022-23 | FLA | 90 | 98 | 44 |
WAR, 2025-26
How it's calculated →Wins added to the team, compared with a replacement-level player called up from the AHL.
-0.3
wins above replacement
-1.2 to 0.6 — 90% interval
282 of 325 defensemen
-1.7 goals above replacement
Full leaderboard →See full detailsHide details
- EV offense
- +1.7
- EV defense
- -3.0
- Power play
- -0.7
- Penalty kill
- +0.9
- Shooting
- -1.7
- Penalties
- -2.2
- Average → replacement
- +3.3
In goals.
| Season | Team | GP | WAR | 90% interval | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | FLA | 72 | -0.3 | -1.2 to 0.6 | 282/325 |
| 2024-25 | FLA | 56 | -0.2 | -0.9 to 0.5 | 256/314 |
| 2023-24 | FLA | 51 | 0.1 | -0.7 to 0.8 | 149/316 |
| 2022-23 | FLA | 71 | 0.5 | -0.7 to 1.7 | 78/334 |
Player tracking (NHL EDGE)
League EDGE leaderboards →Speed, shot power, distance covered, time by zone: measured by chips in the puck and shoulder pads. 90th percentile = better than 90% of players.
- Hardest shot
- 137.2 km/h36th percentileleague avg. 139.7 km/h
- Top skating speed
- 34.5 km/h63rd percentileleague avg. 34.0 km/h
- Bursts over 20 mph, season
- 963rd percentileleague avg. 8
- Offensive zone time
- 43.9 %82nd percentileleague avg. 42.4 %
See full detailsHide details
- Total distance, season
- 72.7 km65th percentileleague avg. 56.1 km
- Distance, single-game high
- 5.45 km68th percentileleague avg. 4.98 km
- Offensive zone at 5v5
- 45.0 %93rd percentileleague avg. 42.8 %
- Neutral zone time
- 17.6 %25th percentileleague avg. 16.9 %
- Defensive zone time
- 38.5 %76th percentileleague avg. 40.8 %
Shooting
| Shots on goal | Goals | Shooting % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All | 2482nd percentile | 172nd percentile | 4.2 %36th percentile |
| High danger | 287th percentile | 084th percentile | 0.0 %60th percentile |
| Mid range | 366th percentile | 073rd percentile | 0.0 %50th percentile |
| Long range | 1072nd percentile | 077th percentile | 0.0 %67th percentile |
Shots on goal by zone
2026-2027 regular season. Measured by puck and player tracking chips; the percentile ranks the player within the league.
Game log, 2026-27
BOS
WSH
CHI
DET
WPG
PIT
OTT
SEA
VAN
CBJ
BUF
MIN
SJS
CARAaron Ekblad: frequently asked questions
How many goals does Aaron Ekblad have in 2026-27?
Aaron Ekblad has 1 goal and 5 points (4 assists) in 16 games in 2026-27.
How old is Aaron Ekblad?
Aaron Ekblad is 30 years old: he was born on February 7, 1996.
How tall is Aaron Ekblad, and how much does he weigh?
Aaron Ekblad is 6'4" (193 cm) and weighs 220 lb (100 kg).
Where is Aaron Ekblad from?
Canada: Aaron Ekblad was born in Windsor, Ontario, Canada.
What team does Aaron Ekblad play for?
Aaron Ekblad plays for the Florida Panthers in the NHL, at D, wearing number 5.
Is Aaron Ekblad injured?
No: Aaron Ekblad is not on the latest NHL injury report. This answer is updated throughout the season.
How good is Aaron Ekblad?
Aaron Ekblad produced -0.3 wins above replacement (WAR) in 2025-26, 282nd of 325 players at his position in the NHL. His PAL rating is 28 out of 100: below average for his position.
How much does Aaron Ekblad make?
Aaron Ekblad earns $6.1M for the 2025-26 season. His Value Rating is 15 out of 100 (very poor return): it measures the on-field return for that salary, compared with players at his position.
When does Aaron Ekblad's contract end?
Aaron Ekblad's contract runs through the 2032-33 season; he will then be an unrestricted free agent. It includes a NMC / M-NTC clause.
Is Aaron Ekblad overpaid?
Yes, his output falls short of what his salary should buy. His Value rating is 15 out of 100 (very poor return), where 50 is the output expected for his salary, compared with players at his position.
Is Aaron Ekblad a top-10 player at his position?
No: by WAR, he ranks 282nd of 325 players at his position in the NHL in 2025-26. Our comparison tool puts him side by side with any other player.
Is Aaron Ekblad getting better?
No, he is slipping: his PAL rating went from 67 in 2024-25 to 28 in 2025-26 (out of 100, 50 = average player at his position).
How has Aaron Ekblad played lately?
Over his last 10 games, Aaron Ekblad has 2 points (1 goal, 1 assist).
What are Aaron Ekblad's career stats?
Over his NHL career, Aaron Ekblad has 819 games, 123 goals, 288 assists and 411 points. His best season: 2021-22, with 57 points in 61 games.
Where was Aaron Ekblad drafted?
Aaron Ekblad was drafted 1st overall (round 1) by Florida Panthers in 2014.
Is Aaron Ekblad better at home or on the road?
No real difference: in 2026-27, he averages 0.33 points per game at home (2 in 6 games) and 0.30 on the road (3 in 10 games).
How does Aaron Ekblad perform in the playoffs?
In the playoffs, Aaron Ekblad has 83 games and 33 points in his career. His pace (0.40 points per game) is lower than his regular-season pace (0.50).
Which player is most similar to Aaron Ekblad?
Kris Letang: he is the player at his position whose PAL profile (the 0-to-100 dimensions) is closest to his in 2025-26.
Kris Letang's page →Is Aaron Ekblad a good fantasy pick?
Probably not, except in deep leagues: our projection has him at 24 points in 2026-27, or 0.35 points per game.
Does Aaron Ekblad have siblings?
Yes: his brother Darien Ekblad (goaltender, drafted into the OHL by the London Knights).
What is Aaron Ekblad's nationality?
Aaron Ekblad is Canadian. Internationally: Canada — gold medal at the 2015 World Championship (senior team, perfect 10–0); invited/alternate captain for Team North America at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey (left early due to injury); named to the senior team for the 2018 World Championship.
What awards has Aaron Ekblad won?
Calder Memorial Trophy (NHL rookie of the year), 2014–15 season (announced June 24, 2015) ; Selected to the NHL All-Star Game, 2015 ; Exceptional player status granted by Hockey Canada (allowed early entry to the OHL), 2011.
How many championships has Aaron Ekblad won?
2: Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers, 2024; Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers, 2025.
Where did Aaron Ekblad play before turning pro?
Sun County Panthers (minor midget AAA, Belle River), 2010–11 season; selected first overall in the 2011 OHL draft and played for the Barrie Colts (OHL).
How many points is Aaron Ekblad projected to score in 2026-27?
Our projection has him at 24 points in 69 games in 2026-27 (12 to 35 points, 80% interval), based on his recent seasons, age and role.
See also: his Florida Panthers teammates
Full roster →
NHL.com ↗ · Stats and photos: NHL (NHL.com)