George Richards, FHN Publisher
The Florida Panthers came into their final week of the preseason by doing some major carving to their roster on Sunday.
With a dozen players either loaned to the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL or being placed on waivers in order to do so, Florida is down to 30 active players.
The Panthers need to have their roster at the league limit of 23 by Tuesday.
Florida has two exhibition games remaining this week — a home-and-home series with the Lightning starts Thursday in Sunrise — before opening the season next Thursday against the host New York Islanders.
”We are still experimenting to see where guys will fit,’’ coach Paul Maurice said.
As it stands right now per CapFriendly.com, Florida would be about $500,000 under the salary cap upon putting Anthony Duclair on LTIR next week.
But that only accounts for the Panthers going with a roster of 20 players and does not factor in a one-year deal for Eric Staal who is in on a PTO and appears to be staying.
So, the Panthers will not only have to add some players but also make a move or two to stay under the $82.5 million salary cap.
Right now, we are not sure the Panthers will be able to open the season with a 23-man roster.
Although Florida has started with 23 in most seasons, there have been times it has opened up with 21 or 22 due to financial concerns. This would be cap problems, not an unwillingness to spend money as was the case back then.
In looking at what Florida’s final roster will look like, we are going with the assumption that 23 will make it.
Again, that may not be possible.
When looking at the Panthers’ training camp roster when they reported to camp, it was apparent the players who did not have to pass through waivers to get to AHL Charlotte were really going to have to stand out.
In the case of 26-year-old Anton Levtchi (who was the leading scorer and MVP of Finland’s Liiga with Sasha Barkov’s Tappara Tampere squad last season) and 2018 first-round pick Grigori Denisenko, that did not happen and both were officially sent to Charlotte on Sunday.
Both, obviously, could be brought back up to the Panthers in the future.
Other players who remain with the Panthers such as Logan Hutsko, Justin Sourdif and Matt Kiersted have at least a few more days — and perhaps one or two games against the Lightning — to show the Panthers they deserve to stick around.
”We know this is preseason, but you have to look at it as an opportunity,” said Kiersted, who spent most of last season in Charlotte but played in 10 games with the Panthers last season.
“There is an opportunity here for sure. My goal coming into camp was to work hard and compete every day. My compete level is something I take pride in.”
Florida could also add a player aside from Duclair on LTIR if it is determined they were going to miss the first couple weeks of the season anyway.
While Duclair is expected to miss the first few months of this season after having Achilles surgery, players can come off LTIR after missing 10 games and 24 days. That would mean a potential return in early November.
Patric Hornqvist has not practiced with the team in a week and was spotted skating Tuesday morning in a track suit instead of full hockey gear.
With a week before the opener, we will also assume those players who have missed practice time — including Hornqvist — are included on the roster.
As far as Hornqvist goes, Maurice said he hopes to have him back at practice by the end of the week.
BREAKING DOWN THE FLORIDA PANTHERS ROSTER
FORWARDS (14)
On the team (12): Colin White; Sam Bennett; Sam Reinhart; Anton Lundell; Sasha Barkov; Matthew Tkachuk; Nick Cousins; Carter Verhaeghe; Eetu Luostarinen; Rudolfs Balcers; Patric Hornqvist; Ryan Lomberg
Very Likely: Eric Staal (PTO)
Fighting for a Spot: Aleksi Heponiemi; Chris Tierney; Logan Hutsko; Justin Sourdif; Gerald Mayhew
LTIR: Anthony Duclair
Our Pick: Heponiemi gets the nod for the final forward spot due to his waiver status. The Panthers could try and slide him through to Charlotte next week when there will be dozens and dozens of forwards available to be claimed, but may not want to take the risk.
Of course, they may not have a choice.
Tierney, on the other hand, is a veteran forward who Florida does like on its fourth line. This decision may come down to which player the Panthers thinks helps them the most.
Truth is, Heponiemi may be lost to waivers; Tierney signed with the Panthers as a free agent and most likely would pass through.
DEFENSEMEN (7)
On the Team (6): Aaron Ekblad; Radko Gudas; Marc Staal; Lucas Carlsson; Gus Forsling; Brandon Montour
Fighting for a Spot: Matt Kiersted; Michael Del Zotto
Our Pick: Kiersted got a new contract this offseason, one that has a one-way clause which starts in 2023. Right now, however, he can go to Charlotte without passing through waivers.
Del Zotto is a veteran defenseman who got bought out after one season in Ottawa but was solid in Columbus during the 2021 season. The two have been paired together and both have a week to impress.
Florida can open with Del Zotto, send Kiersted back for top minutes in Charlotte — and have him on speed dial when needed.
GOALIES (2)
On the Team (2): Sergei Bobrovsky; Spencer Knight
Still Here: Alex Lyon
Our Pick: Barring an injury to either Bobrovsky or Knight, Lyon will start the season with Charlotte. It is interesting to see him be the last goalie standing in the battle for the No. 3 spot although the man playing the best in Charlotte would be the one called up when needed.
FLORIDA PANTHERS PRESEASON
Up Next
Tampa Bay Lightning at Florida Panthers
Where, When: FLA Live Arena, Sunrise; Thursday, 7 p.m.
Tickets: CLICK HERE
Of Note: All ticket proceeds to Hurricane Ian relief efforts
Streaming: FloridaPanthers.com
2022 Preseason — Sept. 26: Florida 4, @Nashville 3 (OT); @Nashville 4, Florida 0. Sept. 29: Carolina 5, @Florida 2. Saturday: @Carolina 4, Florida 3. Thursday: vs. Tampa Bay, 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8: at Tampa Bay, 4 p.m
Regular Season Opener: Oct. 13 at New York Islanders