Panthers' Aaron Ekblad Reacts to Criticism for Hagel Hit Before Return from Suspension

Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad says he accepts that Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brandon Hagel accused him of a purposeful hit to the head during Round 1 of the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs.

“Reasonable response. If that’s how he feels, then we move on," Ekblad said Wednesday, per The Athletic's Chris Johnston.

Ekblad was suspended for two games after elbowing Hagel in Game 4 of the first-round series. Hagel did not return before the Lightning were eliminated in Game 5.

Ekblad is eligible to return for Game 2 of the Panthers' second-round series against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday night.

Hagel later described the hit to reporters as "purposefully going for someone's head."

"Two games to purposefully hurt someone's head?... I'm pretty sure he's had head problems himself, had a few concussions," Hagel said.

Ekblad meanwhile told reporters he had been aiming for Hagel's chest on the hit.

“Going down the wall there, I’m trying to make a hit every single time I do that,” Ekblad said, per Johnston. “I do that all season. I was aiming for his chest and I caught him in the chin, and that’s unfortunate, but it’s not my intention. I’m never out to hurt anybody on the ice.

"It’s unfortunate the way that the outcome happened, but it is what it is. We all move on.”

When asked if he had communicated with Hagel after the hit, Ekblad answered, "I'm not going to talk about any comments I've had with Hagel."

Hagel had previously been suspended for Game 3 of the series following what the NHL Department of Player Safety called "an extremely forceful body check to an unsuspecting opponent" on Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov.

Ekblad had played just two games since March 8 prior to his latest suspension. He recently completed a 20-game suspension for violating the NHL and NHL Players' Association performance-enhancing drugs policy. He said in a statement that he had taken "something to help me recover from recent injuries without first checking with proper medical and team personnel."

The defenseman is now set to return to the Panthers' top pairing alongside Gustav Forsling as the Cats look to even the series following a 5-4 loss in Monday's Game 1.

The first game of the second-round series featured yet another injurious hit, this one from Panthers forward Sam Bennett to the head of Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz. The Maple Leafs starter was hospitalized following Game 1.

Leafs head coach Craig Berube said Wednesday that Stolarz is "recovering," but will be replaced for Game 2 by Joseph Woll. The NHL is not issuing any supplemental discipline on Bennett following the hit.