Panthers' Ekblad, Montour make season debuts vs. Ducks

Two key Florida Panthers defensemen were back in the lineup for the first time this season Friday night.

Aaron Ekblad and Brandon Montour played in a 2-1 win over the Anaheim Ducks. Both underwent shoulder surgery in June and missed training camp along with the Cats' first 16 games of this campaign.

In September, Panthers general manager Bill Zito estimated the defensive duo would be healed by around mid-December.

Following Florida's surprising run to the Stanley Cup Final last season, Ekblad revealed he had a dislocated shoulder, a broken foot, and a torn oblique during the playoffs.

Montour led the Panthers in average ice time during the 2022-23 regular season at 24:08. He exploded for 16 goals and 57 assists over 80 games before adding eight tallies and five helpers in 21 postseason contests.

The 29-year-old averaged a whopping 26:58 of ice time in those playoffs, ranking second to Miro Heiskanen of the Dallas Stars among rearguards who played more than six games. Montour is in his third full season with the Panthers, who acquired him in a trade with the Buffalo Sabres in April 2021.

Ekblad collected 14 goals and 24 assists across 71 regular-season games in 2022-23 before adding two tallies and six helpers in 20 playoff contests. The 27-year-old averaged 23:24 of time during the regular season and 23:57 in the postseason last spring.

He's spent his entire career with the Panthers, who drafted him first overall in 2014.

Forward Jonah Gadjovich also made his Panthers debut Friday after signing as a free agent in the offseason.