Ekblad (lower body) was placed on long-term injured reserve Sunday and will not play again during the regular season, Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff reports. He should be able to return for the first round of the playoffs.

EDGE Analysis

This is a massive loss, as Ekblad sits fifth among league defensemen with 57 points and sits fourth among all skaters with a whopping plus-38 rating this season. The Panthers still lead the Eastern Conference with 90 points and should easily qualify for the playoffs, but losing their star blueliner will no doubt take a toll. In another move Sunday, the team acquired Robert Hagg from Buffalo to fill Ekblad's vacancy on the back end.