Ekblad Headed Home (Ekblad)

Terrible news for Team North America is now bad news for the Florida Panthers.

Aaron Ekblad, The number one defenseman for Team North America, is headed back to south Florida. He is officially out of the remainder of the World Cup of Hockey .

Having an NHL star injured during an international hockey tournament is an NHL GM's worst nightmare realized. Playing for one's country is a great honor, however, the club team has invested multiple millions of dollars in the player and they want to protect their assets at all costs.

Team North America GM Pete Chiarelli issues this statement before puck drop of the Canada vs. USA game on Tuesday night.

"While Aaron would have liked to stay with his teammates at the World Cup of Hockey, we respect the decision for him to continue his evaluation and rehabilitation in Florida with the Panthers' team doctors," Team North America said in a statement. "Aaron was a very important part of our defense core here and a key leader on this team. We wish him all the best in his recovery."

Ekblad, 20, was smoked by a nasty hot from Finland's Leo Komarov during North America's 4-1 win on Sunday. Ekblad was forced to sit out Monday's 4-3 loss to Russia.

Ekblad played 23:43 TOI against Finland.

Here's the Komarov-Ekblad crash!

To my eyes, Komarov finished his hit high on the 6'4" 220 lb. Ekblad.

Thanks @myregularface

Ekblad's physical was sorely against against Alex Ovechkin and the Russians, who scored 4 second period goals on Monday night.

In 3 pre-tourney games, Ekblad averaged 22 minutes TOI and he collected three points.

According to reports, Ekblad's symptoms are consistent with a concussion.

However, Team North America will only call Ekblad's ailment an "upper body injury".

Ekblad will be re-evaluated by doctors in Florida.

**

Team North America hit the practice ice on Tuesday morning with some notable roster tweaks.

Center Jack Eichel did participate in the skate, which in itself is a good thing considering the heavy wallop he absorbed at the hands of Russia's Alexei Emelin on Monday night.

Eichel finished his shift after the hit and returned to the Team North America bench where he remained for the rest of the game. Eichel didn't skate during his team's 6 on 4 power play that tried its hardest to tie the game and force OT in the dying moments of regulation play. At the end of the day Eichel and Team North America lost 4-3 in dramatic fashion to the back-against-the-wall Russians.

Todd McLellan started practice on Tuesday with Eith centering the fourth line for Jonathon Drouin and J.T. Miller.

McLellan acknowledges Eichel's gifts.

"I think Jack is a tremendous player. He's got so much talent and size and vision and his ability to shoot.

McLellan wants more.

"I want to get him on the ice in every situation possible because of all that talent. He's got to take it up a notch and he knows that".

After the skate, Eichel told Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News that he's not happy with his overall play right now.

"I have to make more plays. I'm not playing my game enough right now. When I get opportunities, I have to make the most of it", Eichel said.

I feel like this "demotion" is equal parts observation as it is a penalty for poor play. Perhaps the coaching staff wanted to see if Eichel was feeling well after being laid out by Emelin.

Eichel and his young teammates carried the play to the Russian through thirty five minutes on Monday night.

Then inexplicably, they let bad defensive zone habits to creep into their game. Eichel will tell you that he allowed too much time and space to Russia's sniping forwards who scored 4 straight goals in the second period to give Russia the 4-1 lead.

If Eichel wants his top six role back he is going to have to earn it.

I trust that Jack will get back to the good habits and he will earn back the trust of McLellan.

Eichel is far too talented and competitive to be skating a support role with limited TOI on the fourth line.

Eichel scored the first goal of the game versus Finland on Sunday night.

**

I love you, Gord. Keep grinding!

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