Florida Panthers coach and general manager Tom Rowe said All-Star defenseman Aaron Ekblad will not be on Florida’s upcoming road trip but will stay behind and continue working out after he complained of what Rowe said is a “sore neck” following Tuesday’s game against Carolina.
Ekblad suffered a concussion earlier this month in Tampa and missed four games before being cleared by doctors and returning Tuesday. Ekblad has been out since and Rowe said he regretted playing him that night.
Rowe has stressed Ekblad’s recent absence is due to a neck issue and is not related to the concussion.