Aaron Ekblad: Panthers’ Matchups Vs. Bruins ‘Really Tough Games’ (Video)

Aaron Ekblad was the best rookie defenseman in the NHL this past season, and that earned him a trip to Las Vegas as a finalist for the Calder Trophy, an award given annually to the league’s most outstanding rookie.

Ekblad’s Florida Panthers played against the Boston Bruins four times, and several of those games were important in the playoff race as both teams chased one of the Eastern Conference’s two wild-card berths.

“They’re always really, really tough games,” Ekblad said Tuesday in a “NESN Live” interview with Sarah Davis. “They’re a hard opponent, they’ve got some big, tough, annoying players, and it’s definitely a fun opponent.

“I think it’s a good attribute to have. I’m not saying annoying in a bad way — obviously those are guys you want on your team in some aspects. But whether it’s (Zdeno) Chara, (Brad) Marchand, some of those guys, guys I grew up watching and stuff like that. It’s good.”

Check out the video above to hear Ekblad’s praise for Panthers teammate and former Bruins forward Shawn Thornton.

The NHL Awards ceremony is scheduled for Wednesday night at 7 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Network.

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Thumbnail photo via Bill Streicher/USA TODAY Sports Images