Florida Panthers News

Bennett will likely miss 4-6 months and be returned to juniors and be back in Calgary for training camp next season.

Reinhart has no points, two shots and a minus-1 rating while averaging 12:47 TOI in his first three NHL games. The Sabres can keep him up for nine-games without burning a year of his entry level contract, so going to the fourth line seems like he is destined to be returned to juniors after the nine-game stint.

This summer's fourth overall pick is expected to make a full recovery, but will have to wait until next season to crack the Flames roster. This injury also means that Bennett will not be able to participate in the IIHF World Junior Championships starting on Boxing Day. Bennett has a bright NHL future ahead of him and he will be back in Flames camp next fall.

Reinhart, 18, was the second overall pick in this summer's draft. He will start his NHL career on the Sabres' second line with Cody Hodgson and Brian Gionta. "They're obviously very smart players and good players," Reinhart said of his linemates. "I feel if I move the puck to them and get myself open, we're going to create a lot of chances. I feel comfortable on that line."

Bennett, 18, who was the Flames first round pick (4th overall) this summer is still with the Flames, but as a non-roster injured player with shoulder surgery looming. It is believed that surgery is a strong possibility, but we won't know until Wednesday. He was limited to three pre-season games and missed parts of main camp because of a groin injury coming out of rookie camp, which was followed by his shoulder troubles.

Markstrom, 24, was acquired in the trade that sent Roberto Luongo to the Florida Panthers last March. He was 2-8-3 with a 3.39 GAA and .873 SV% between the Panthers and Canucks last season. Markstrom was once considered the NHL's top goaltending prospect and will likely be claimed by another team. He has just one year with a $1.2 million cap-hit left on his contract, making him a relatively low-risk add.

Ekblad was named the Ontario Hockey League’s (OHL) most outstanding defenseman during the 2013-2014 season, ranking first among the league’s blueliners with 23 goals and tied for fifth with 53 points (23-30-53). The 6-foot-3, 213-pound defenseman became just the third player in his 18-year-old birth year to earn the OHL’s most outstanding defenseman honor in the past 20 years. The Belle River, Ontario, native is expected to crack the Panthers opening day roster and should be an immediate fantasy contributor.

Eller, 25, scored 12 goals and added 14 assists (26 points) with a minus-15 rating in 77 games with the Habs last season. It was a less than stellar season when you consider the fact he put up four more points in the shortened season. At $3.5 million per season, the Canadiens will be expecting better production out of the Denmark native over the next four seasons.

Kulikov, 23, had a career-high eight goals (19 points) but a career-worst minus-26 rating in 81 games with the Panthers in 2013-14. Kulikov did have solid possession numbers (51.2 CF%) for the second straight year and he'll be just 24-years-old in October so he should continue to improve his NHL game this season.

Marchand did not record any points with a minus-1 rating in five games in round one against the Red Wings.

This is the second day in a row that Marchand has not skated. Daniel Paille is skating in his place, but there is no word if Marchand will miss tonight's game. Expect head coach Claude Julien to let us know following the skate.

Markstrom allowed five goals on 22 shots in a loss to the Oilers last night. His first two starts with the Canucks have not gone very well as he has allowed eight goals on 49 shots (.837 SV%), both resulting in losses. He will start the last game of the season vs. the Flames.

Markstrom allowed three goals on 27 shots in a loss to the Avalanche in his first start with the Cancuks. He will get a second chance tonight and draws a much easier matchup in Edmonton. However, it is Ryan Smyth's last NHL game so the Oilers could come out flying for their veteran.

Markstrom has not started an NHL game since December 20th. He played 19:48 wit the Canucks in early March after replacing Eddie Lack--he stopped four of five shots. He will likely start the remaining three games in a lost season for the Canucks. This will give Vancouver a good idea of what their goalie situation will be like heading into 2014-15.

Ellier is a late scratch for Wednesday's game, he will be replaced by Dale Weise in the Habs lineup.

Jones had missed the previous five games with a concussion he suffered on March 23rd in Chicago. The Predators season is coming to a close, which means the end of Jones' rookie season. As of now, he has six goals and 18 asssits in 73 games. His 24 points has him tied for 21st amongst rookies in scoring.

Jones was cleared to return to game action on Tuesday, but he is not taking part in line rushes this morning. Usually if a player is returning he will skate along side his D partner in practice--Jones is not which suggests he will miss his fifth consecutive game.

The Panthers season is all but over so there is no reason to get Barkov back in the lineup. They are expected to rest him for the remainder of the year and get him going for 2014-15 after great rookie campaign.

Jones missed the last four games after being rocked by Andrew Shaw on March 23 in Chicago. Jones has scored six goals with 18 assists (24 points) and a minus-23 rating in 72 games in his rookie season. Expect him to be back in the lineup on Friday.

Eller missed just one game with a lower-body injury. Eller will replace Dale Weise (wrist) in the Habs lineup.