Panthers top blue liner opens up about re-upping in Florida

Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad made his feelings known about the process behind his contract extension this offseason.

Aaron Ekblad chose the Florida Panthers by giving the club a hometown discount this summer. | Bruce Bennett/GettyImagesFlorida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad recently opened up about the process behind his contract extension this offseason. Ekblad signed an eight-year, $48.8 million deal to remain with the only franchise he's played for. The Cats drafted him with the top pick in the 2014 NHL Draft.

The extension is widely regarded as a hometown discount, as Ekblad was considered to be the top defensive free agent this summer. However, he never got to free agency.…