Ekblad is deeply regretful and apologizes.
I have let down my teammates, the Panthers organization, and our fantastic fans. For that, I am truly sorry. I have accepted responsibility for my mistake and will be fully prepared to return to my team when my suspension is over.
I have learned a hard lesson, he says via the players' organization NHLPA.
Ekblad missed eight of nine matches in January due to an upper body injury. It was because of that injury that he took some form of a banned performance-enhancing substance.
He is the first player since Nate Schmidt in 2018 to be suspended for violating the league's rules on the use of banned performance-enhancing substances.
The reigning Stanley Cup champion Florida has 18 matches left of the season. Ekblad's suspension stretches two matches into the playoffs.
Ekblad, 29, was Florida's first pick in the 2014 draft and has played his entire career in the club.
