2018 Offseason Grade The Player: Aaron Ekblad

Grading Ekblad


  • Total voters
    67

Jacob Roberts

Registered User
Jan 27, 2011
1,361
250
Jinju, S Korea
I credit his clutchness and shot, skating and defense still negatives. I mean, the first 20/30 games of last year, he was being shown up on a nightly basis in his own zone. Thankfully it did even out as the season went on. Can't get higher than a C for me; especially when compared to salary/expectations.

I still hold out hope for him becoming that 1D guy - I basically wrote off Huberdeau after 20 games one particular season, and look where he is now.
 

Jakeybonz

Registered User
Jan 1, 2018
974
351
I think we may see Ekblad and MM this season.

Yandle would do better with a D only partner.

Ek and MM are more two way players than straight offensive Ds.
plus age-wise and contract-wise they need to start learning to play together. they're gonna be here a while.
 

FrolikFan67

Registered User
Apr 29, 2012
7,147
3,197
hes one of the best goal scoring D in the game. yea his foot speed isnt great and overall speed isnt either, but hes not a horrendous defender or anything. some are better passers than scorers, and some, like ekblad, are better at scoring than distributing. i think hes an average defender + one of the best goal scoring D = an A for the season.

and id rather keep yandle with ekblad, theyre used to each other now and its not like yandle only has a year or two left, he'll be here for a while. i think weegar should be given a chance to play with matheson. or kiselevich if theyre that confident in him.
 

RainingRats

Registered User
Dec 28, 2008
21,649
4,797
nice bounce back season. top goal scoring d-man, played tough minutes, with unfavorable matchups and held his own. A
 
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RogerRoger

Registered User
Jul 23, 2013
5,121
2,656
For a first pairing Dman I gave him a C.
He's very good offensively, but defensively he can't hold his own against top competition. Maybe it's not his fault, maybe it's Yandle's fault, but seems they are both unable to cope. I hope he develops his defensive side. He's on his way to be a better version of Mike Green. I hope he becomes a more complete player.
 
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RainingRats

Registered User
Dec 28, 2008
21,649
4,797
Not sure what thread this goes in but I saw this video and I have to say I can't believe he's a professional athlete with the shape he is in. Really hard to think he can hit his potential.
 

CHGoalie27

Don't blame the goalie!
Oct 5, 2009
15,854
2,887
SoFLA
Not sure what thread this goes in but I saw this video and I have to say I can't believe he's a professional athlete with the shape he is in. Really hard to think he can hit his potential.

He does not seem 100% sober here either, and good for him. I agree with both him and Ryan Reeves. Old time hockey!
 

KW

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Mar 21, 2006
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When was the video done?

I don’t see conclusive evidence for excessive fat.
 

StrangeVision

Wear a mask.
Apr 1, 2007
24,477
9,339
Yeah, I'm not going to judge his physique based on a video.

Now, if he comes into next year and still can't f***ing skate?
2gaxle.jpg
 

Clint

Registered User
Jul 14, 2003
6,937
604
Come on, guys. Fat and out of shape? Christ almighty. We must be neck deep into the offseason because you're all going crazy. That's just his body type, and it only looks more exacerbated because he has a huge ass. I can't believe I had to Google "Aaron Ekblad shirtless" because of you all, but here he is before the draft.

http://famewatcher.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/aaron-ekblad-body-scouting-combine2.jpg

http://famewatcher.com/wp-content/u...kblad-shirtless-2014-no-1-nhl-draft-pick2.jpg

https://www.pinterest.com.au/pin/469359592389435459/

He's just never been all that jacked, and he doesn't really need to be. Not everyone has the Rod Brind'Amour physique.

Buncha keyboard warriors, I tell ya.
 
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pb1300

#CatsAreComing
Mar 6, 2002
16,800
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Come on, guys. Fat and out of shape? Christ almighty. We must be neck deep into the offseason because you're all going crazy. That's just his body type, and it only looks more exacerbated because he has a huge ass. I can't believe I had to Google "Aaron Ekblad shirtless" because of you all, but here he is before the draft.

http://famewatcher.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/aaron-ekblad-body-scouting-combine2.jpg

http://famewatcher.com/wp-content/u...kblad-shirtless-2014-no-1-nhl-draft-pick2.jpg

https://www.pinterest.com.au/pin/469359592389435459/

He's just never been all that jacked, and he doesn't really need to be. Not everyone has the Rod Brind'Amour physique.

Buncha keyboard warriors, I tell ya.

Drew Doughty looks like someone I bought my iPhone from in the Apple Store in NY.
 

Gentle Man

09/12
Nov 15, 2011
40,082
31,650
Ontario, CA
Come on, guys. Fat and out of shape? Christ almighty. We must be neck deep into the offseason because you're all going crazy. That's just his body type, and it only looks more exacerbated because he has a huge ass. I can't believe I had to Google "Aaron Ekblad shirtless" because of you all, but here he is before the draft.

http://famewatcher.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/aaron-ekblad-body-scouting-combine2.jpg

http://famewatcher.com/wp-content/u...kblad-shirtless-2014-no-1-nhl-draft-pick2.jpg

https://www.pinterest.com.au/pin/469359592389435459/

He's just never been all that jacked, and he doesn't really need to be. Not everyone has the Rod Brind'Amour physique.

Buncha keyboard warriors, I tell ya.

I'd say fine except he has shown up to camp out of shape before.

Are we being harsh? Probably. But it's not so much to ask of him to apply himself year around, especially at such a young age. This should be the time he gets in prime shape, the pudge should come in his 30s.
 

Clint

Registered User
Jul 14, 2003
6,937
604
I'd say fine except he has shown up to camp out of shape before.

Are we being harsh? Probably. But it's not so much to ask of him to apply himself year around, especially at such a young age. This should be the time he gets in prime shape, the pudge should come in his 30s.

Here are pictures of the physique of the greatest goal scorer of all time.

http://hockeygods.com/system/gallery_images/6786/normal.jpg?1309061173

https://i0.wp.com/russianmachinenev...2018/05/ovechkin-shirtless-soccer41.jpg?ssl=1

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DSlPuASKx-0/TZ07-fbEtEI/AAAAAAAABK4/YHHRIDaa5DE/s1600/AO2.jpg

I don't really care what Ekblad's body looks like. As long as the dude has the cardiovascular ability to log 20+ minutes 80 games a year I'll be happy.
 

Gentle Man

09/12
Nov 15, 2011
40,082
31,650
Ontario, CA
Here are pictures of the physique of the greatest goal scorer of all time.

http://hockeygods.com/system/gallery_images/6786/normal.jpg?1309061173

https://i0.wp.com/russianmachinenev...2018/05/ovechkin-shirtless-soccer41.jpg?ssl=1

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DSlPuASKx-0/TZ07-fbEtEI/AAAAAAAABK4/YHHRIDaa5DE/s1600/AO2.jpg

I don't really care what Ekblad's body looks like. As long as the dude has the cardiovascular ability to log 20+ minutes 80 games a year I'll be happy.

I guess the hope is that with the drop in weight, his quickness would improve. That's the hope.

I'm thinking people wont care if he could actually move worth a damn. Phil Kessel for example. He can fly and he is the poster child of out of shape.
 
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IM Clutcm

Registered User
Jun 20, 2014
4,191
218
Miami, FL
I guess the hope is that with the drop in weight, his quickness would improve. That's the hope.

I'm thinking people wont care if he could actually move worth a damn. Phil Kessel for example. He can fly and he is the poster child of out of shape.
Wait, the concern that he's out of shape is real? He looked fine to me. :dunno:

Also, from what I recall, Kessel is actually in excellent shape. His physique is a result of his battle with cancer, but he consistently finished at the top of the team when it came to fitness testing in Toronto.
 

Gentle Man

09/12
Nov 15, 2011
40,082
31,650
Ontario, CA
Wait, the concern that he's out of shape is real? He looked fine to me. :dunno:

Also, from what I recall, Kessel is actually in excellent shape. His physique is a result of his battle with cancer, but he consistently finished at the top of the team when it came to fitness testing in Toronto.

Honestly, I had the same problem with Shaq (Who I wasnt even a fan off as I never rooted for any team he played on). He could have been the GOAT center if he maintained his Orlando shape.

He got away with it because he was so dominant so it was brushed aside. I just feel like Ekblad could be better if really, REALLY applied himself.
 

RainingRats

Registered User
Dec 28, 2008
21,649
4,797
Look at all the other young guys on the team and Ekblad is easily in the worst shape. It's not even close. If he was lighter and/or had stronger legs he'd help to improve a major weakness. Does anyone not think Ekblad would be better if he was in Mike Matheson shape?

Ovechkin example is bad because his legs are built and he is a great skater. Kessel example is bad too because he's also a great skater.
 
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