Panthers' Ekblad: 'I can't rest on my laurels' after being drafted 1st overall

Defenseman Aaron Ekblad donned No. 5 on the back of his jersey at the first day of the Florida Panthers development camp Monday, a digit he expects to remain there for the foreseeable future.

After being drafted first overall at the NHL Draft back in June, Ekblad knows the opportunity is there to make the jump straight to the NHL. At the same time, he's fully aware he can't sit back and simply expect to be on the opening night roster.

“It's what I do with those opportunities,’’ Ekblad told the Miami Herald. “There are a series of milestones and I have to perform and prove that I'm ready at each one of them."

"I’m obviously going to get the chance, but I have to prove myself," he added. "I can't rest on my laurels, rest on where I was drafted. I consider all of us as equals.''

General manager Dale Tallon acknowledges there's a strong possibility Ekblad will play for the Panthers next season, but isn't ruling out a return to junior.

“We'll have a good, long look at him at training camp,” Tallon said Monday. “If he's ready, he's ready. If not, well, [Jonathan] Huberdeau went back. Guys come back better players. But if he's ready, we're keeping him, no doubt."

Former NHL defenseman Bryan McCabe, who works in player development for the Panthers, believes Ekblad has all the tools necessary to succeed at the NHL level right out of the gate. 

“He's a kid in a man's body but is very confident and well-rounded in his game,” said McCabe. “He's very grounded and humble and doesn't act like a first overall pick. He's going through the grind with everyone else."

McCabe says Ekblad's maturity is already evident.

"He has handled the pressure thus far, there's no reason to think he won't now. He is very mature for his age.''

In short, Panthers fans should start ordering their No. 5 jerseys. It looks like they'll be needed for the team's home opener on Oct. 11.