Ekblad went minus-2 in Friday's 3-1 road loss to the Hurricanes, but he did amass two hits, four shots and six blocked shots.

EDGE Analysis

Ekblad's currently mired in a three-game pointless skid, though he's seemingly been trying his best to make an impact in the defensive zone, as evidenced by 13 blocked shots over that span. The two-way blueliner is a streaky contributor, but you'll want to be in on one of his hot streaks.

Ekblad buried a goal and tallied an assist on the power play in a 5-2 victory against St. Louis on Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Ekblad received a terrific pass from Jonathan Huberdeau and netted an easy one-timer in front of the net for his first goal of the season. After a disappointing 2016-17 campaign, the 21-year-old blue liner looks ready to come back strong. Through three games, Ekblad has three points, five blocked shots, and a plus-two rating.

Ekblad said he's 100 percent healthy following a concussion injury that ended his 2016-17 campaign prematurely, NHL.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Last season was a perpetual nightmare for Ekblad, as he ended up with career-worst marks in goals (10) and assists (11) following an injury that he sustained during the World Cup of Hockey. The burly defenseman also posted a hideous minus-23 rating, which has undoubtedly left a good amount of fantasy owners thinking twice about paying top dollar for him in upcoming drafts. However, the Ontario native is about to begin the first year of an eight-year, $60 million contract, and that means the Panthers will do everything they can do get him back on track on the upcoming season. Ekblad -- who's gathered 96 points in 227 career regular-season contests -- technically qualifies as a veteran at the age of 21 years old.

Ekblad (neck, concussion) indicated that he was symptom-free when he returned to the lineup on March 21, but game action caused the symptoms to resurface and therefore forced him out of the final 10 games of the season, George Richards of the Miami Herald reports.

EDGE Analysis

This most recent concussion is the third that Ekblad has been diagnosed with dating back to January 2016, with each of the two most recent concussions being accompanied by neck problems, as well. When trying to determine the reasons behind Ekblad's poor 2016-17 season, where he recorded career-worst amounts in goals (10), assists (11), points (21), and plus-minus rating (minus-23), the concussion problems he has dealt with have to be the main suspect. If this happens to be the case, the entire hockey community will be rooting for the first-overall pick in the 2014 NHL Draft and 2015 Calder Trophy winner to get back to his best.

Coach Tom Rowe suggested Monday that Ekblad (neck) will likely miss the remainder of the season, George Richards of the Miami Herald reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ekblad has missed 10 of the last 11 games due to a concussion and then neck soreness, and it appears the blueliner may have played the last game of his 2016-17 campaign. If that's the case, he finishes the season with 21 points (10 goals, 11 assists) over 68 games. His rating dropped like a rock this season, going from plus-18 last year to minus-23 this year, but he did post a career-high 225 shots on goal. The youngster still appears to have a bright future ahead and should continue to be a major target in fantasy drafts.

Ekblad (neck) will not accompany the team on an upcoming four-game road trip, the Miami Herald reports.

EDGE Analysis

Of course, this news also rules out the playmaking defenseman for Saturday's home contest against the Blackhawks. "He's feeling good but we're not going to rush him, be more patient with him," Panthers coach and GM Tom Rowe said. This latest injury -- Ekblad recently overcame a concussion -- comes at an awful time since it's around the fantasy hockey playoffs. Still not on IR, he will be shooting for an April 3 return against the Habs.

Ekblad (neck) skated before practice Friday, but will miss his second straight game Saturday when the Panthers take on the Blackhawks, the Sun-Sentinel reports.

EDGE Analysis

Per the Miami Herald, Ekblad's neck problems reportedly stem from a case of whiplash he suffered while playing in the World Cup of Hockey in September, so it's not an ailment he's likely to completely shake before the end of the season. That said, he could return to action once it's at least stable so expect an update once that appears to be the case. Jakub Kindl will likely continue to see extended ice time in Ekblad's absence.

Ekblad is dealing with a sore neck that will keep him from playing Thursday night against the Coyotes, George Richards of the Miami Herald reports.

EDGE Analysis

Richards has relayed from the power-play defenseman that the neck issue is not linked to his recent concussion, which is good news since that had kept Ekblad out of the lineup for four straight contests. Florida needs an absolute miracle to make it to the playoffs, so the priority will be ensuring that Ekblad makes a full recovery from this latest ailment.

Ekblad (concussion) will return to the lineup Tuesday night against the visiting Hurricanes, George Richards of the Miami Herald reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ekblad, who has 10 goals and 11 assists countered by an ugly minus-22 rating, will be looking for a strong rebound from a four-game absence. He had missed tough road contests against the Blue Jackets, Rangers and Penguins respectively, but will be ready to reprise his role as a power-play weapon on the top defensive pair with Keith Yandle.

Ekblad (concussion) was among the first out on the ice for morning skate Tuesday, George Richards of the Miami Herald reports.

EDGE Analysis

The offensively proficient defenseman has missed the past four games but remains off injured reserve as he rounds out his recovery. Presumably, his next big obstacle is showing that he can withstand contact in a practice. Keep an eye on this situation as more develops, as Ekblad is a power-play quarterback who's managed 10 or more goals in his first three NHL seasons.