Report: Panthers to announce signing of No. 1 overall pick Ekblad on Wednesday

The Florida Panthers are expected to announce the signing of defenseman Aaron Ekblad, the first overall pick at the 2014 NHL Draft, to a three-year entry-level contract, according to a report from TSN's Bob McKenzie.

Ekblad sustained a concussion this summer while competing at the Summer Development camp for Canada's U20 men's team, but recently told reporters that he has recovered from the injury and will be ready for training camp.

At the NHL Draft Combine this past June, Ekblad measured in at over 6-foot-3-inches, and weighed in at over 215 pounds. Due to his combination of size and skills, it's expected that he will push hard for a roster spot at Panthers training camp later this month. Even if Ekblad isn't ready for top-four duty as a teenager, his heavy right-handed shot could prove an asset on a Panthers power-play that struggled enormously this season.

If Ekblad makes the Panthers as an 18-year-old, at least he'll have some previous experience competing against older athletes. At 15, Ekblad was granted "exceptional status" to join the Ontario Hockey League before he was eligible. He remains the only defenseman to be granted such an exception in the league's history.

"I feel like I can step in next year and make a difference," Ekblad told reporters in his post-draft scrum.