NHL bends the rules and allows Aaron Ekblad to return from suspension early

Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad, still serving his 20 game suspension from the NHL for using a banned performance-enhancing substance, has been grant permission from the NHL to rejoin his team. 

Officially, Ekblad will not be able to suit up for the Panthers until Game 3 of their first round playoff matchup but, of course, the NHL's playoff schedule hasn't been determined yet. Suspended players are typically prohibited from re-joining team activities until 10 days before the end of their suspension but in Ekblad's case and with the schedule in flux, he was granted permission by the NHL to return to team activities. This means that he can practice with the team and take part in off-ice training, he just cannot suit up for any game action just yet.

“He can do whatever we want him to do,” Panthers coach Paul Maurice told reporters in Florida on Thursday. “He’s back with the group.”

Ekblad insists that he mistakenly ingested a banned substance while recovering from injury. He has issued a public apology to his teammates, the Panthers organization and the team's fans.

“I have accepted responsibility for my mistake and will be fully prepared to return to my team when my suspension is over,” Ekblad said in a statement. “I have learned a hard lesson and cannot wait to be back with my teammates.”