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Panthers' Tallon says it 'doesn't make any sense' for Ekblad to return to junior

Timothy T. Ludwig / USA TODAY Sports

Aaron Ekblad's free trial will expire Saturday when the rookie defenseman skates in his ninth NHL game, but don't expect the Florida Panthers to unsubscribe. 

General manager Dale Tallon didn't go as far as confirming that his first-overall selection would stay in the professional ranks this season. However, he certainly provided no indication otherwise to George Richards of the Miami Herald:

He's a gamer and boy, he's been very good. He's been a big part of our solid defense. We'll decide after (Saturday) but obviously it looks pretty good for him. He's played junior a long time and he's a man now. It probably doesn't make any sense for him to go back. There's a good chance he's going to be here.

Ekblad has firmly established himself as a regular rotation defenseman in his eight starts, logging nearly 22 minutes per contest and ranking fourth on the team in total shifts.

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