Panthers to Open Preseason with Split Squad Doubleheader against Predators

CORAL SPRINGS — After wrapping up four days of hard training camp skates, the Florida Panthers will finally get some game action later today in Sunrise when they hit the ice for a split-squad doubleheader against the Nashville Predators.

The matchup against Nashville will be the first two of eight preseason games the Panthers will play over the next few weeks as they look to fill out their opening night roster.

Per Panthers head coach Paul Maurice, all available veteran players from the 59-man training camp roster will play in Monday’s split-squad game — meaning you’ll get to see most of Florida’s main roster take the ice when they divide up the teams.

Players like Aaron Ekblad and Brandon Montour are already scratched off for the preseason with the two top defenseman being out of the line for the start of the year. Last season’s leading goal scorer Carter Verhaeghe will also be left out of tomorrow’s games as he picked up a minor day-to-day injury that has kept him out of the majority of training camp.

“[Carter] IR’d (Injured Reserve) skate and he’s feeling much better, he is going to IR skate tomorrow,” Maurice said

Maurice added that Verhaeghe probably won’t play in Carolina on Wednesday due to lack of full practices. If he’s healthy next week he could appear in next Friday’s game against Carolina. 

As for the remainder of the roster, the camp group will be split into two teams, one playing in the 2 pm game and the other getting the 6 pm start. Florida has already had the two groups split up since the beginning of camp. 

Florida has kept their initial 59-man roster intact all week by not making any cuts or junior player returns. Monday’s set of games will be an opportunity for the junior aged prospects to get in a game against NHL level talent before being returned to their respective junior clubs for the season. 

“We’ll get to see all of our players that are eligible to return to junior hockey play in an NHL exhibition game,” Maurice said on Sunday. “I’m excited to see that because you’re gonna put an 18 year old kid in the games and there’s going to be some 35 year olds… I want to make sure I get some of those young guys in to get at least one look at them before they return.”

After the junior guys get their moment to dawn a Panthers’ jersey at Amerant Bank Arena, the battle for roster spots will finally begin for the pro level players. 

“In some ways the real competition starts for those other guys in the next game,” Maurice said.  

Florida’s 2021 first-round pick Mackie Samoskevich is one of those “other guys” that will be fighting for an opening night spot on the NHL roster.

Samoskevich is by far the most highly touted prospect the Panthers have. The former Michigan Wolverine closed off his college career last season with 43 points in 39 games before turning pro — joining the Charlotte Checkers for their playoff run.

The 20-year-old hasn’t looked out of place in camp and will have a legitimate chance to make the Panthers if he has an impressive preseason.

Samoskevich said he didn’t have any specific conversations with the coaching staff regarding what they want to see from him this preseason — he’s just going to play his game.

“There’s a reason I’m here, I’m a good player, I know I’m a good player,,” Samoskevich said. “I was playing out there with really good players, it’ll help me and I’ll help them too. Nothing was really said between us (coaching staff) but I’m gonna do what I do and have fun with it.”

Samoskevich, like many other players at camp, are excited to suit up for their first preseason game as a Panther later today in Sunrise.

“I’m super pumped… I’m looking forward to walking out there for the first time.”