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ST. LOUIS -- The Panthers will have Dave Bolland back in the lineup Monday night when they take on Martin Brodeur and the Blues in St. Louis.
Who Bolland replaces is still unknown. The Panthers held an optional skate this morning and a number of forwards were missing.
Bolland has been out since leaving the Panthers' first win of the season in Buffalo on Oct. 17. The groin injury happened on his final shift of the night and he said he's never had to deal with such a serious groin pull.
"It has been a while so it's great to be able to get back out there, get in the lineup,'' Bolland said after Monday's skate.
"I'm there to help the team, it's never fun sitting out watching the guys go. When you have losses like that, by one goal, you know you could help. It's always heart wrenching. It kind of screws with your head watching that. .-.-. They've been playing great and that's the main thing. Whether you're in or out of the lineup and the team's winning, that's the main thing. As long as the younger guys are progressing, they're going to push me and I'm going to push them. That's the way it goes.''
Brodeur makes his first home start for the Blues tonight after signing a bonus-laden contract last week.
"I think it’s always an advantage to play in your own building,'' Brodeur said. "Fans are always a big component and reason why a team has success in their building. I never played on the other side of another team so now it’ll be interesting to see how it is. I know playing against these guys throughout the years in this building it’s always a fun place to play.''
On Monday, he said he split time between his homes in New Jersey and Boynton Beach.
During the week, he would workout on the ice then come to Florida for the weekend to hang out with the family and play a little golf.
Brodeur, who has pretty much owned the Panthers over the years, said he watched a number of Florida games on television when he was in Boynton and likes what he has seen from the Panthers.
The former Devils' netminder worked throughout the summer but didn't get an offer.
"[Florida has] a lot of talent, a lot of young guys through the draft the last couple of years, a lot of bodies, a lot of skill,'' he said. "It's just a matter of putting everything together. It seems like it’s coming along pretty good.''
As far as driving south to Sunrise to see a game, Brodeur smiled.
“No,'' he said, "I’m not that big of a fan.’’
Posted with Blogsy
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