from Bob Duff of the Windsor Star,

“He’s real impressive,” Detroit coach Mike Babcock said. “How many D-men have seven points in their last five games?

“He’s just a kid, but obviously with size and skill and skating – but his smarts, and his ability to get the puck through from the point – I don’t know, you don’t want to say too much too early.”

Hockey Hall of Fame defenceman and Florida TV analyst Denis Potvin jumped right from the Ottawa 67’s to the New York Islanders in 1973 and can understand better than most the significance of what Ekblad is currently achieving.

“I’ve seen a lot of young defencemen come up, really good kids who are out there in the league right now,” Potvin said. “They’ve got skill, the shot, the size and can skate – but they don’t think the game like this kid.

“That’s what is so impressive about him to me.”

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