BREAKING: First Overall Pick Placed on LTIR

The Florida Panthers will see the puck drop on their 2023-24 season in a matter of hours, but unfortunately, they'll now officially do so without a key piece of their blue line.

Already without Sam Bennett, the Panthers have now officially placed Aaron Ekblad on Long Term Injury Reserve in order to facilitate the arrival of Justin Sourdif who will replace Bennett.

This will be a key loss for a Panthers team that has a massive target on their back after the success they achieved in the playoffs a season ago, and with four tough games to start their year, this isn't a good sign.

In 71 games a season ago, Ekblad tallied 14 goals and 38 points while contributing as a physical presence on the Panthers blue line, and now they look to replicate that success with a few big losses on their roster.

As Read on Litter Box Cats - Panthers recall Sourdif, place Ekblad on LTIR

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