Is Aaron Ekblad the next Florida Panther player to have his number retired?

The Florida Panthers have truly excelled in crafting a roster that not only led them to back-to-back Stanley Cup championships but also set them up as strong contenders for many years ahead.

With three straight appearances in the Stanley Cup Final, the Panthers are considered of the heavy champions in the entire hockey league.For this achievement, a lot of the credit goes to the team’s impressive coordination and the management’s dedication to securing their core players. Over the years, certain individuals have emerged as key pillars of this achievement and one of them is defenseman Aaron Ekblad, who has been remarkable since he has joined the Florida Panther team.

But is Aaron Ekblad the last Panther to wear the No. 5 jersey? Let's find out.

Will Aaron Ekblad have his number retired?

With the Panthers achieving so much success over the years, there is growing talk about which players might one day have their jersey numbers retired by the franchise. For Aaron Ekblad, who has spent his entire career in Florida Panthers, this looks like a real possibility. His dedication, long-term commitment, and big impact on the team, makes him a strong candidate for the honor.

As per reports, THN Florida recently shared a list of players who might one day have their numbers retired, and it’s no surprise that Ekblad made it to the list. It is very certain that Aaron Ekblad is going to spend his entire career with the Panthers, directing towards his legacy that will extend far beyond just championships and All-Star appearances, as his jersey will be etched forever in the history of the league.

Aaron Ekblad’s legacy with the Florida Panthers

Aaron Ekblad was the first overall pick by the Florida Panthers in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, where he made quite a splash right from the start.

In his rookie season, he won the Calder Memorial Trophy as the Rookie of the Year in 2015.As the years went by, Ekblad evolved into one of the NHL’s most trusted defensemen. However, his journey was marred by concussions and a serious leg fracture in 2021. Despite these challenges, he kept hitting significant milestones, including becoming the franchise leader in points and games played by a defenseman.

In 2016, he inked an eight-year, $60 million contract and earned the title of alternate captain.

He played a pivotal role in Florida’s ascent as a championship contender, helping the team clinch the Stanley Cup in both 2024 and 2025.Also Read: Who is Logan Paul's wife Nina Adgal? Exploring the personal life of the former WWE United States ChampionIn March 2025, Ekblad faced a 20-game suspension for breaching the NHL’s performance-enhancing drug policy. But, Ekblad bounced back to assist Florida in winning their second consecutive Stanley Cup in 2025. This year, he also signed a new contract worth $48.8 million to remain associated with the Panthers and keep chasing championships.