Friday Caterwaul: Florida Panthers Open Forum

NHL’s main focus is on next season

Bill Daly appeared on The Athletic’s “Two-Man Advantage” yesterday and spoke of the league’s priorities in the coming months ahead: “The only definite for us is we certainly don’t want to do anything around a resumption of play this season that will impact our ability to have a full season next year.” This sets timelines as what can actually be done to save this season (Sportsnet)

Nearly every NHL team has announced plans to help part-time workers

Sergei Bobrovsky and the Florida Panthers were among the first to help out. (Pro Hockey Talk)

Which players will miss major marks if the regular season doesn’t resume?

The NHL’s decision to pause its season, and the possibility that the league will skip straight to the playoffs instead of resuming the regular season, could rob Alex Ovechkin of a mark he’s been chasing: the record for most 50-goal seasons in NHL history. (The Hockey News)

Nashville signs North Dakota forward Cole Smith to an ELC

General Manager David Poile announced today that University of North Dakota senior forward Cole Smith has signed a one-year, two-way contract for the 2020-21 season. (On The Forecheck)

Arizona signs forward Ryan McGregor to an ELC

The Coyotes are preparing for the future by signing Canadian forward Ryan McGregor to an entry-level contract. The 21-year-old center was originally selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the sixth round (172nd overall) of the 2017 Draft, with the Canadian club allowing his rights to expire. (Five For Howling)

Poll results

15 of 17 voters said the Panthers would have beaten the Buffalo Sabres last night. So, that’s an imaginary two points for the Cats.