Panthers take Ekblad with No. 1 pick in NHL draft (Yahoo Sports)

[ASFN Admin]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- - Aaron Ekblad felt confident at No. 1, ready to move from the top of the draft straight to the NHL. ''I can step into the NHL next year,'' he said. The Florida Panthers sure hope he'll ready in a hurry to become part of a promising nucleus they expect to lead them back to the playoffs. Without a clear No. 1 on the board, general manager Dale Tallon was open to trading the pick on Friday night.

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