NHL Free Agency: Aaron Ekblad to the Detroit Red Wings?

The Florida Panthers are going to be in tough to sign defenceman Aaron Ekblad to a long-term contract, especially if they can't get a deal done before the market opens next Tuesday. Ekblad will be one of the biggest fish on the market, and likely the best defenceman available, so if the Panthers let him test the waters, look for several teams to make lucrative seven-year offers, including the Detroit Red Wings.

Daily Faceoff's Matt Larkin feels the Red Wings are a serious contender to sign the right-handed blueliner, and touched on the possibility in a recent post:

It’s no secret the Wings desperately need help on their blueline to support Simon Edvinsson and Moritz Seider. That’s why I suggested them as key suitors to watch in potential trades for Rasmus Andersson and Noah Dobson. While they absolutely have the necessary pick-and-prospect capital to make pitches for either blueliner…GM Steve Yzerman could also spend “only” money to land Ekblad. He hasn’t lived up to the promise that made him the 2014 NHL Draft’s No. 1 overall pick, but he’s a top-pair workhorse and two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Panthers. He’d be a significant upgrade over the likes of Justin Holl and Jeff Petry.

Ekblad, 29, appeared in 56 games last season, recording 33 points, and had to sit out the last 18 games of the regular season, and first two games of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, thanks to a length suspension to using a banned type of medication.  

Ekblad turned it on come playoff time, posting 13 points in 19 games, helping the Panthers win the Cup, thanks to some steady play on the back end. If the Red Wings don't get the deal done, look for the San Jose Sharks to be serious interested, along with the Carolina Hurricanes.

Photo credit:  Sam Navarro-Imagn Images