Barry Trotz: Panthers' Ekblad has Hall of Fame talent
Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad is only 126 games into his professional hockey career, but he's already drawing high praise from the best in the business.
Ahead of his team's matchup against the Panthers, Washington Capitals head coach Barry Trotz couldn't help but compliment the 19-year-old phenom.
Trotz just compared Panthers D Aaron Ekblad to Nick Lidstrom, Al MacInnis, Chris Pronger. Says he has Hall of Fame talent. #CapitalsTalk
— Chuck Gormley (@ChuckGormleyCSN) February 2, 2016
High praise, and it wasn't even the first time.
Trotz - who had a first hand look at Ekblad during the All-Star Game over the weekend - spoke glowingly of the budding superstar Monday as well.
"He's going to be not only the face of the Panthers, but of the league," Trotz told George Richards of the Miami Herald.
Ekblad truly choked up when told of Trotz high praise of him: "It’s very sweet of him. Obviously, one of the better coaches to ever have
— Harvey Fialkov (@hfialkov) February 1, 2016
coached and really kind words. I’m kind of speechless, it’s an honor, rewarding. #ekblad
— Harvey Fialkov (@hfialkov) February 1, 2016
It's difficult to argue with Trotz's assessment. Ekblad - last year's Calder Trophy winner - has 10 goals and 11 assists in 45 games. The division-leading Panthers have won 15 consecutive games with him in the lineup, while losing four straight without him.
One way or another, Ekblad will certainly have his hands full with Trotz's league-leading Capitals on Tuesday.