Injury Updates Provided for Panthers' Ekblad & Rodrigues

During the Florida Panthers' March 9 matchup against the Calgary Flames, defenseman Aaron Ekblad and forward Evan Rodrigues both left early due to separate injuries. Now, we have been given some updates regarding the Panthers' two key players.

According to Bally Sports' Steve Goldstein, Ekblad will be out for two weeks to start and then will be classified as day-to-day. Rodrigues' injury appears to be less serious, as Goldstein reported that he could play in the Panthers' next matchup against the Dallas Stars.

Aaron Ekblad is out 2 weeks to start, then day to day.
Evan Rodrigues could play tomorrow vs Dallas. #FlaPanthers
— Steve Goldstein #goldieonbermuda419 (@goldieonice) March 11, 2024

Ekblad, 28, is a major part of the Panthers' blue line, so it is quite discouraging that he is going to have to miss these next two weeks. This is especially so when noting that the Bruins are not too far behind the Panthers in the Atlantic Division. In 47 games this season, he has four goals, 17 points, and a plus-26 rating.

As for Rodrigues, he has been a nice addition to the Panthers' middle six this season, so hearing that he may not need to miss any time is certainly good news. The 30-year-old has appeared in 65 games with this season with the Cats, posting 10 goals, 36 points, and a plus-24 rating.