Red Wings Likely to Sign Veteran Defenseman to $70 Million Deal
The Detroit Red Wings are anticipated to make a bold move in the offseason, with one prediction suggesting they’ll sign a former first-overall pick.
On the trade and free-agent prediction platform PuckPedia, one user forecasts that the Red Wings will land Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad with a seven-year contract worth $10 million per season.
Ekblad is currently in the final year of his eight-year, $60 million deal, and such a contract would be a significant increase in salary, potentially exceeding market value. However, the hefty offer might be what’s necessary to draw Ekblad away from Florida and onto the Red Wings roster.
If Detroit secures Ekblad, it would strengthen their blue line, pairing him with Moritz Seider to form a formidable duo. Ekblad would also bring valuable Stanley Cup-winning experience, which could benefit Detroit’s younger defenders.
This season, Ekblad has posted 3 goals and 30 assists, totaling 33 points in 56 games. He was the first overall pick in the 2014 NHL Draft.
Ekblad Suspended for 20 Games
Florida will be without Ekblad for the remainder of the regular season and the first two playoff games after he was suspended for 20 games without pay for violating the NHL/NHLPA Performance Enhancing Substances Program.
In a statement, Ekblad expressed regret, stating, “I made a mistake by taking something to help me recover from recent injuries without first consulting proper medical and team personnel. I’ve let my teammates, the Panthers organization, and our fans down, and I am truly sorry.”
It remains to be seen whether Ekblad’s suspension will affect his free agency, but if he performs well in the playoffs and helps the Panthers make a deep run, it could boost his market value.
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