The Ottawa Senators might have zeroed in on Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad as a primary target ahead of the offseason.
NHL insider David Pagnotta echoed the report from Ottawa Sun’s Bruce Garrioch this week, confirming Ottawa is actively pursuing a right-shot defenseman.
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Among players linked to the Senators are Ekblad, Calgary Flames blueliner Rasmus Andersson, and Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen.
Ekblad, 29, is nearing free agency after completing an eight-year, $60 million contract with Florida. He has scored seven points in nine postseason games through Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals after posting 33 in 56 regular-season outings.
According to Pagnotta, the Senators will explore the top of the market to address their need for a new right-handed defender to bolster their blueline.
“The Ottawa Senators are expected to go after a right-shot defenceman this summer, either via trade or free agency, to boost their blueline going into the 2025-26 season,” Pagnotta wrote.
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An anonymous executive quoted in Garrioch’s report underscored the challenge the Senators are facing.
“Everybody is looking for that kind of defenseman. If you have them, you want to keep them, and if you’re looking for one, they’re hard to find.”
Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad (5)James Guillory-Imagn Images
Ottawa’s interest intensified after veteran Nick Jensen underwent surgery for a lower-body injury. Though Jensen hopes to be ready for training camp, the uncertainty has left the Sens seeking a reliable partner for Thomas Chabot on the second pair.
As one league exec told the Ottawa Citizen, “If they’re going to get one, they’re going to have to pay a heavy price.”
Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad (5) looks on during a stoppage of play at Amalie Arena.Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Ekblad recently addressed his looming free agency, saying he’s not focused on it during Florida’s playoff run.
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“It’s one of those things. It’s always going to linger around,” Ekblad said. “But at the end of the day, I’m well taken care of. I’m able to go out and play pretty freely on a nightly basis.”
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