Keith Yandle to ‘keep showing up’ as Panthers appear to phase him out

The Florida Panthers have made it pretty obvious Keith Yandle will not be in their plans when the season starts Sunday.

By putting him in a second group of fringe roster players and not playing him with an dedicated defensive partner in Tuesday’s scrimmage, it does not appear Yandle has a role in their game prep for the opener against the Chicago Blackhawks.

Yandle, in speaking with Florida Hockey Now on Tuesday afternoon, said he has not been told much of anything from the team’s management or coaching staff.

When the Panthers open Sunday, Yandle hopes to be in the lineup.

He is not sure whether or not that will be the case.

If Yandle does not play, his consecutive games streak of 866 — the longest active ‘Iron Man’ run in the NHL — will come to an end as a healthy scratch.