Blame it on the non-hockey market or the sheer fact that Aaron Ekblad looks like he's 35, but the Florida Panthers' first-overall draft selection has managed to avoid the will-he-won't-he narrative.
But following a poor preseason debut, in which he posted a minus-2 rating and sustained a minor injury, it's no longer guaranteed that Ekblad will graduate from the major junior ranks this season.
Panthers coach Gerard Gallant broke down Ekblad's chances of sticking with the big club Wednesday.
"He's an 18-year-old kid and we know he can be a real good hockey player, but it's a big step (...) playing defense in the NHL takes a special player and he's a special player,'' Gallant told the Sun-Sentinel. "We're letting him play game by game and see how he gets along.
"When he's ready he's ready; if he's not he's not."
Despite tempering short-term expectations, Gallant still has high hopes for his young blueliner.
"We plan on him being on the team, but it's like any other position. We got to make sure he's ready. (...) I like his chances,'' he said.
Ekblad will have a second opportunity to prove his readiness Thursday when the Panthers host the Tampa Bay Lightning in the team's second-to-last preseason game.
