
Florida Panthers News










Samoskevich played three games with the Panthers earlier this season, being held off the scoresheet, but has spent most of the season with the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL, tallying 22 points (9G / 13A) in 27 games. Samoskevich was the 24th overall pick of the Panthers in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.

Studnicka played the last nine games for the Sharks, scoring zero points and being limited to only seven shots on goals. Before being acquired by the Sharks, he played nine games with the Abbotsford Canucks of the AHL this season, scoring seven points (1G / 6A) in nine games.

Rodrigues left after blocking a shot with his lower leg and did not return. In addition to Rodrigues, the Panthers also lost Aleksander Barkov in the first period, so they could be short-handed for Saturday's game in Colorado. Head coach Paul Maurice said he expects to have an update on Rodrigues on Friday.

Barkov took an elbow up high from Alec Martinez in the first period of Thursday's 4-1 win in Vegas. Barkov left after playing just 4:54 TOI and did not return to the game. In addition to Barkov, the Panthers also lost Evan Rodrigues in the game, which could leave them shorthanded up-front for Saturday's game in Colorado. Head coach Paul Maurice said he expects to have an update on Barkov on Friday.

Petry will slide back into Detroit's lineup on Thursday as they opt to dress seven defensemen in the absence of Andrew Copp (lower-body). Petry has one goal and nine assists in 29 games this season.

Gadjovich has found himself the odd man out of the Panthers' lineup for 11 straight games due to illness and lack of roster room but will draw back in Thursday as he replaced Nick Cousins (concussion). The 25-year-old bruising left-winger has failed to pick up a goal in nine games this season, but has an assist, 43 PIMs, 10 SOG and a -2 plus/minus.

Bobrovsky will search for his fifth straight win when he returns to the crease on Thursday evening. The 35-year-old Bobrovsky is playing his best hockey of the season, posting a .930 SV% over his last six games (5-1-0). The Panthers, winners of five straight, are slight -115 road favourites over a Vegas Golden Knights team they defeated 4-2 less than two weeks ago.

Bjornfot has only played one NHL game this season, the season-opener for the Kings, recording one block in 10:12 time-on-ice. He was been placed on unconditional waivers and claimed by the Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday.

Tarasov will start for the second time in the last three games as the Blue Jackets will attempt to snap a two-game losing streak when they visit the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday. Tarasov has allowed three or more goals in each of his four games this season (1-2-1), posting a .877 SV%. The Blue Jackets are +165 road underdogs against a Flyers club that has lost three straight (0-2-1) but defeated the Blue Jackets 5-2 on November 19th.

Balinskis made his NHL debut in 2023-24 with Florida after three seasons in the Czechia pro league and was rewarded Wednesday with a two-year, $1.7 million ($850,000) contract extension. The 27-year-old has managed to pick up a goal, an assist, 18 SOG, and six PIMs in 18 games played in his first season in Florida.
