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Thursday Caterwaul: Florida Panthers Open Forum

Florida Panthers prospect Elliot Ekmark scored the game-opening goal with 2:20 left in the first period as Almtuna IS went on to edge AIK 5-4 preseason action from Sweden’s HockeyAllsvenskan on Wednesday.

Ekmark, 21, appeared in 16 games with HockeyAllsvenskan club IF Björklöven (2G/1A) and seven games with Linköping HC (1G/2A) last season. He was selected by the Panthers in the seventh round (198th overall) of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft.

NHL News

The Boston Bruins have inked John Farinacci to a two-year, entry-level contract. Farinacci is a 22-year-old center who was drafted by the Arizona Coyotes in the third round of the 2019 draft, but wasn’t signed to an ELC by the Desert Dogs. After Arizona’s rights expired, the Bruins quickly swooped in and signed him.  He produced 5 goals and 20 points in 19 games last season while captaining Harvard.  Farinacci won a gold medal with Team USA at the 2021 World Junior Championship in Edmonton, tying for fourth in goals (5) at the tournament.

The Carolina Hurricanes have signed a 20-year lease extension with the owners of PNC Arena and will continue to call the facility home through the 2043-44 NHL season. As part of the agreement, PNC Arena will undergo major renovations, including the development of a sports and entertainment district and public gathering space. The former Hartford Whalers have played at PNC Arena since 1999.

The Edmonton Oilers signed 34-year-old forward Brandon Sutter to a Professional Tryout. Sutter’s last season in the NHL came in 2020-21 with the Vancouver Canucks. He scored nine goals and 12 points in 43 games.

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