The 2022-23 NHL season has not gone as expected for Aaron Ekblad and the Panthers. After a Presidents' Trophy finish last year, Florida is battling just to stay afloat in the Eastern Conference playoff hunt.
So Ekblad didn't take too kindly to the viral video of LIV golfer Brooks Koepka calling him out during the Panthers' 4-3 loss to the Rangers on March 25.
The defenseman was asked about Koepka's taunt on Wednesday ahead of Florida's game against Toronto. The 27-year-old said that he doesn't know Koepka, who is a longtime Panthers fan and was blunt with his thoughts on a potential relationship between the two.
"We're not buddies. Never be buddies."
It's easy to understand why Ekblad wouldn't be rushing into a friendship with the pro golfer. Koepka was seen during the contest against the Rangers taunting Ekblad with a traffic cone and telling the two-time All-Star his true thoughts on his defensive work.
LIV Golf Superstar Brooks Koepka has a message for Aaron Ekblad.
— David R (@David954FLA) March 25, 2023
“F’ing traffic cone” #TimeToHunt pic.twitter.com/j2y7dJio0g
Koepka told GolfWRX's Matt Vincenzi that he didn't bring the traffic cone to the game, and was "hydrated" that night.
"He gave up a bad goal," Koepka said about Ekblad. "It was a bad pass in the third. I'm a die-hard P's fan, and he gave up a bad goal.
"I just felt like if they didn't win that game they weren't going to make the playoffs. Dedicated fan, man."
Koepka's concerns about the Panthers missing the playoffs are real. While the club briefly slid into a playoff spot last week, Florida currently sits outside of the postseason picture.
The team is one point behind the Penguins for the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference, but Pittsburgh has a game in hand on Florida.
Florida had dropped four in a row before storming back to grab a crucial two points against the Maple Leafs on Wednesday. The Panthers have just seven games remaining on their schedule, hoping to get back to the postseason for the fourth consecutive year.
