Panthers' Aaron Ekblad: Medically cleared by team doctors

Ekblad (neck) was medically cleared by the Panthers' team doctors Wednesday, TSN's Darren Dreger reports.

Analysis:

Ekblad was forced to withdraw from the World Cup of Hockey due to a neck injury, but returned to the ice at the Panthers' practice facility Saturday, indicating he was close to being cleared for game action. Ekblad may not log heavy minutes in Florida's five remaining preseason contests, but should be fully healthy heading into the Panthers' regular-season opener Oct. 13 against New Jersey.