TWITTER: @GeorgeRichards
As expected, the Panthers suspended forward Sean Bergenheim as he hasn't been medically cleared to play after being injured during the lockout.
NHL teams are allowed to suspend players - without pay -- who were hurt and unable to play while doing so for another team or country during the lockout.
Defenseman Erik Gudbranson -- who hurt his shoulder snowboarding -- and center Marcel Goc (ankle) have also been suspended.
Once they are cleared to play, they will be reinstated to the team. Gudbranson is working out with the Panthers and Goc is rehabbing with the team.
Its believed Bergenheim injured his groin in just his second game playing for a professional team in his hometown of Helsinki, Finland, in October. Assistant general manager Mike Santos said he didn't know the severity of the injury although he wasn't told that Bergenheim requires surgery.
-- The Panthers recalled defenseman Colby Robak from AHL San Antonio late Tuesday to replace veteran Ed Jovanovski. Jovanovski missed work for the second straight day after Santos said he was nicked up in Monday's initial workout.
Robak played in three games with the Panthers last year and has 18 points in 40 games for the Rampage this season.
-- Santos said he spoke to the agent for unsigned restricted free agent Dmitry Kulikov on two occasions yet didn't have any progress to report. The Panthers own Kulikov's NHL rights and he is no longer on the roster of his hometown team in Russia.
-- Fox Sports Florida announced Tuesday that it would broadcast all 48 games this season between FSN and Sun Sports. FSN will carry 42 games with Sun getting six in April during conflicts with the Marlins.
"The new contract between Fox and the Panthers is great for the fans,'' play-by-play voice Steve Goldstein said. "There's going to be more hockey than we've ever seen in South Florida. The commitment going into the broadcasts is great.''
PANTHERS TRAINING CAMP
-- When, Where: Thursday, 10 a.m.; Saveology.com Iceplex, Coral Springs
-- Admission: Free
-- Directions: The Iceplex is located one-half mile east of the Sawgrass Expressway off Sample Road and Sportsplex Drive.
-- Season Opener: Saturday vs. Carolina; BB&T Center, Sunrise, 7:30 p.m.
Comments