It's never too early to start thinking ahead before free agency starts on what players could fit a team. For the Ottawa Senators, they're off-season mode is full swing.
After being eliminated by the Toronto Maple Leafs in round one of the 2025 playoffs, the Senators re-signed Nikolas Matinpalo to a two-year extension, but the defense took a hit recently with Nick Jensen needing surgery.
Jensen getting surgery is putting the Senators in a position to seek a right handed defenseman. Although Matinpalo could be that guy to raise his game with being a right handed defenseman, there's one defenseman that's being linked to the Senators who could be an overpay waiting to happen.
Ekblad had been linked to Senators during 2025 playoffs
Defenseman Aaron Ekblad is currently playing in the 2025 Eastern Conference Finals with the Florida Panthers. Even with playing deep in the playoffs, Ekblad being linked to the Senators have begun.
NHL insider David Pagnotta has "echoed the report" from Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun that the Senators are seeking a right handed defenseman. One of those defensemen the Senators are interested in is Ekblad, but it could be a mistake to sign him.
Ekblad signed an eight-year, $60 million contract ($7.5 million per year) with the Panthers which started in the 2017-18 season. Despite being 29 years old, Ekblad could demand more money per year this Summer.
For the past three years, the Panthers have made the Eastern Conference Finals with Ekblad on the team, with a potential third consecutive Stanley Cup Finals appearance as well with the Panthers currently up 2-0 on the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Finals. The Panthers won the 2024 Stanley Cup with Ekblad on the team.
For the past two seasons, Ekblad has had injury issues. Ekblad has missed a combined 57 games over the past two seasons.
Ekblad has spent his entire career with the Panthers after being drafted first overall pick in the 2014 NHL Draft. Ekblad started his career strong by winning the Calder Trophy in 2015.
In 732 career games, Ekblad has totaled for 380 points. Ekblad would be a better fit offensively than Jensen, but injury concerns and a potential big contract could comeback to bite the Senators if they were to sign him.
With the career Ekblad has produced since his extension, Ekblad could ask around $8.5-$9.5 million per year, or even higher at around 5-7 years for a new contract. That would be a huge risk for the Senators to take on for a player who's had injury issues in his career.
Teams will be interested in signing Ekblad with his success as a Panther for a decade, but it could be an overpay waiting to happen for a player who could demand the big bucks.