Florida Panthers cut down roster prior to preseason tilt with Lightning

The Florida Panthers have placed veteran goaltender Mike McKenna, centers Greg McKegg and Brett Olson, and defensemen Cameron Gaunce on waivers in advance of the club's exhibition match up with the Tampa Bay Lightning tonight.

These players will be heading to the Portland Pirates, who open camp this weekend, unless claimed by another NHL team. Also on waivers are forward Rob Flick and defenseman Sena Acolatse, who were released from training camp earlier this week. There was no new update on the status of John McFarland, who was axed at the same time as Flick and Acolatse. ECHL, perhaps?

Update: G Sam Brittain, F Corban Knight, D Joshua Brown, D Jonathan Racine, F Kyle Rau and F Logan Shaw have been assigned to the Pirates. These players do not need to pass through waivers.

Prospect Jayce Hawryluk has been returned to the WHL's Brandon Wheat Kings.

The Cats roster for preseason game #4 against the Bolts will look like this: