The ongoing NHL labor strife has now seen a fourth Florida player head for an operation without padlocks on its doors, training equipment and hand towels as Panthers wing Jack Skille has signed with Rosenborg IHK Elite of the Get Ligaen in Norway, according to the team.

Skille has been somewhat snakebitten in a short stint with the Cats since his acquisition from the Blackhawks in early 2011 (essentially in exchange for Michael Frolik, among other bits and pieces involved), as various injuries - including a wicked shoulder ailment in January of this year - sidelined the 6'-1" forward for the final three months of the regular season and all seven games of Florida's Eastern Conference semifinal series vs New Jersey in April.

Not lost in the opportunity is a family connection to the region (via Sport.Adressa.No):

"I am looking very forward to find out more of where my relatives came from, and not least greet family. I knew I had roots in Trondheim, but did not know anyone lived so close there now."

See? Thanks to Google Translate, he speak already as mighty native.

A 2005 first-round selection by then-Dale Tallon-managed Chicago (7th overall), Skille joins fellow Panthers Marcel Goc and Dmitry Kulikov on European ice for the duration of the lockout; Sean Bergenheim saw limited action before a recent lower-body injury ended his stay.

Skille has 17 goals, 20 assists and 60 penalty minutes in 138 NHL contests (5G-7A in 59 appearances with the Panthers).