FHN Today: Florida Panthers throw support behind Miami Dolphins

Although the Florida Panthers have a number of players and executives with ties to the Boston area, the team officially threw their support behind the Miami Dolphins as they kicked off their 2021 season Sunday against the New England Patriots.

The Dolphins, obviously fueled on with the solidarity from their ice hockey pals, won their opener with a 17-16 win up in Foxboro.

The Panthers and the Dolphins have grown closer together over the years with Miami coach Brian Flores attending a number of games last season — including one against the Lightning in which he famously fired up the crowd when captured on the video board.

On Sunday, the Panthers threw out a tweet wishing the team well with four models of a football player wearing Panthers-themed uniforms.

General manager Bill Zito also sent his best wishes, writing “you’ve got our back and we’ve got yours.”

Good luck to Coach Flo, Chris Grier and all of our friends at the @MiamiDolphins this season! You’ve got our back and we’ve got yours. pic.twitter.com/FYB4IOg0xn

— Bill Zito (@bzitojr) September 12, 2021

Flores, who is friends and a former Boston College classmate of Florida assistant GM Brett Peterson, is expected back at BB&T Center soon enough. He is a little busy right now though.

FLORIDA PANTHERS LINKS

The Panthers opened up development camp on Saturday morning with top rookie prospect Anton Lundell officially joining the team.

Lundell is expected to make the Panthers out of training camp and this development camp and showcase tournament should help him moving forward. (FloridaHockeyNow)

— Speaking of rookie camp, we’re expecting Lundell and Spencer Knight to make this tough Panthers roster. But who else here could? We’re looking at you Grigori Denisenko and Matt Kiersted. (FHN)

— Jameson Olive takes you inside Day 2 of development camp complete with another entry in Logan Hutsko’s daily diary. (Panthers.com)

AROUND THE NHL

Our old friend Erik Gudbranson has landed in Calgary as the defenseman signed a one-year deal with the Flames.

Gudbranson, the third-overall pick by Dale Tallon in 2010, played for Ottawa and Nashville last season. Gudbranson says he was greeted warmly by his former Florida goalie Jacob Markstrom. (Calgary Herald)

— Zach Parise is ready to fit in with the Islanders. (NYIslandersHockeyNow)

— Taking a look at six players whose stock could rise at Penguins training camp. (PittsburghHockeyNow)

— Toronto GM Kyle Dubas knows his job could be in jeopardy if the Leafs disappoint again this season. (Toronto Sun)

— Looking at the top candidates for the Calder Trophy — including one Spencer Knight. (DetroitHockeyNow)

— Peyton Krebs goes into development camp with an eye on making the Vegas Golden Knights in a few weeks. (VegasHockeyNow)