On September 3, the Panthers signed Ekblad to a three-year, entry-level contract. Ekblad made the Panthers' opening night roster for the 2014–15 season. He made his NHL debut on October 9 in a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning. During the game, Ekblad scored his first career NHL point, an assist on a Jonathan Huberdeau goal in a 3–2 overtime loss. On November 1, he scored his first NHL goal against Steve Mason of the Philadelphia Flyers in a 2–1 Panthers win.