Caterwaul: Panthers injuries, Tallon gets Cupped, links

The regular season is just around the corner, which can mean only one thing in Sunrise: injuries. Christopher Higgins, Dmitry Kulikov, and Byron Bitz will all miss the final two exhibition games. Has Bitz been healthy at all since arriving in early spring?

Programming note: We'll be doing the preseason Live Chat warmup for both Friday and Saturday's games vs Tampa Bay, so come on out. Also, our nefarious rivals warm and lovable pals at Raw Charge have learned Saturday's match will be streamed live. Which is pretty swell, given the game's on the other coast.

Some talking points before Friday's exhibition at the BAC...

• Cory at From The Rink picks a "character" player from each NHL club whom he'd most want on his team. No argument on his Panthers selection.
• Another Florida season preview is up, this time from ESPN. It's a sports-centric cable channel in the northeast, btw.
• Ex-NHLer Michael Peca was just calling it as he saw it regarding the competitive efforts - or lack of same - of Jay Bouwmeester. More goodness - plus a JayBo rebuttal, of sorts - from Greg via Puck Daddy.
• "We've come in with a more aggressive mindset on the penalty kill. We got some young legs on defense I think helps, and on the power play we got (Dennis) Wideman, who makes a big difference" - Coach DeBoer, beaming at his revamped PK lineup.
• FS Florida will be rolling out their own preview program on Saturday, featuring Craig, Goldy, Frank, and Billy. Check out the trailer here.
• How about Dale Tallon getting the full-on Stanley Cup treatment via Chicago? Mighty fine gesture by the Blackhawks to honor the guy's 33 years of service. Mucho bravo. But wait... who's this "Vertseeg" dude?
• Lastly, if you thought Alex Ovechkin had done everything ('cept win in the playoffs), you'd be awfully wrong.

Lightning at Panthers, 7:30pm Friday. Join us or perish.

UPDATE: depending upon work schedules, we may hook up with our pals at On Frozen Pond for Friday's game chat. We'll let ya know in any event; stay tuned. Saturday will definitely be right here at LBC; I need the practice.