Even after winning two in a row, Aaron Ekblad sees a few more championships in the Florida Panthers' future.
"We have won the Stanley Cup twice, and we still have a long window to win more," Ekblad said Friday on Good Morning America, according to NHL.com's George Richards. "Whether it is or isn't next year, it is just as likely the following year. And the year after that, and the year after that. It's really cool to be in this position."
Ekblad doesn't believe he's jinxing Florida's chances of a three-peat by speaking openly about it.
"We thought about winning it for a second straight year last year, too, so I am not going to think any differently this time around," Ekblad said. "We don't think that thinking or talking about winning the Cup again is jinxing anything. I am preparing for the marathon that is an NHL season and the playoffs. I am preparing for it like another season."
No team has won three straight Stanley Cups since the New York Islanders in the early 1980s.
The Panthers won their second consecutive title in June, defeating the Edmonton Oilers. They were able to keep most of their championship roster in tact this offseason by re-signing Ekblad, Brad Marchand, and Sam Bennett. Ekblad inked an eight-year contract worth $6.1 million per season to stay in South Florida - a deal significantly cheaper than what he could've gotten on the open market.
Florida drafted Ekblad first overall in 2014. The 29-year-old is the all-time franchise leader in games played (732) and points (380) by a defenseman.
Ekblad played a vital role in the Panthers' most recent run, contributing 13 points in 19 games while averaging 24 minutes per contest.
