The 2014 first overall pick’s career got off to a great start under the coaching of Gerard Gallant. In 2014-15, Ekblad played 81 of a possible 82 games, gunning home 12 goals and 27 assists, beating out Mark Stone, Johnny Gaudreau, and Filip Forsberg for the Calder Memorial Trophy for the season’s best rookie.
In 2015-16, Ekblad scored three more goals, including six more goals at even strength, made the 2016 NHL All-Star Game, and led the Florida Panthers to first place in the Atlantic Division with 103 points.