The Florida Panthers announced this morning that forwards Sam Bennett and Aleksander Barkov are listed as day-to-day moving forward. The Panthers also announced that Anthony Duclair has been activated from long-term injured reserve (LTIR) and is returning to the lineup. Meanwhile, Giavani Smith was placed on LTIR.
Bennett will miss his fourth consecutive game dealing with the undisclosed injury he sustained 10 days ago against the St. Louis Blues. Bennett has registered 35 points (14 goals, 21 assists) and 131 hits in 56 games this season. He could return to the lineup as early as Tuesday versus the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Barkov is sidelined with a lingering hand issue that kept him out of the lineup earlier this month. The Finnish product has registered 50 points (16 goals, 34 assists) in 49 games this season. He sits third among Panthers point leaders behind Carter Verhaeghe and Matthew Tkachuk at 52 and 78 points respectively.
Meanwhile, the Panthers also announced that forward Anthony Duclair will be making his season debut following an off-season Achilles tear. Yesterday, the Panthers waived Chris Tierney in order to make room for Duclair; the Montreal Canadiens claimed Tierney. Duclair scored 31 goals and 58 points in 74 games last season.
The Panthers have recalled Zac Dalpe and Grigori Denisenko from their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate Charlotte Checkers. The Panthers will face the Buffalo Sabres Friday; their next game following that is Tuesday against the Lightning where both Bennett and Barkov could make their returns. The Panthers currently own a record of 29-25-6 and sit third in the Wild Card race.
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