The Florida Panthers (1-2) will play its fourth game of the preseason against the Dallas Stars (1-2) this afternoon at 3 p.m. in London, Ontario.
Florida has reduced the number of players on the training camp roster since Thursday’s game in Tampa, so let’s get to that first.
Juho Lammikko, Chase Balisy, Michael Downing, Colin Stevens, Sam Brittain, Josh Brown, Linus Hultstrom and Graham Black have been assigned to the AHL’s Springfield Thunderbirds.
The club has placed Jonathan Racine, Brent Regner and Mike McKenna on waivers. If they clear, they will also be headed to Springfield.
Justine Fontaine, Ryan Horvat and Stephen MacAulay were released from their professional tryouts.
Also released from camp were younger players Rihards Bukarts, Anthony Greco, Zac Lynch and Ed Wittchow. They will attend Thunderbirds’ camp and try to earn AHL contracts.
As expected, goaltending prospect Samuel Montembeault has been returned to Blainville-Boisbriand of the QMJHL.
The roster now stands at 35 players, so 12 more cuts will need to be made before the start of the regular season. This is the point of the preseason where things start to get really interesting in regards to players fighting for the last few available spots.
Philippe Desrosiers and Maxime Lagace are expected to split time in the Dallas net this afternoon.
No word yet on who will be in goal for the Panthers, but I would expect the rotation we’ve seen so far to continue and Roberto Luongo get the start with Reto Berra backing up.
One forward line that will skate together is Derek MacKenzie centering Logan Shaw and Connor Brickley.
Keep it here all day for pregame and in-game updates. Happy Sunday!