The Florida Panthers are just hours away from kicking off their 2023-24 season. Regrettably, they'll begin without a pivotal member of their defense.
Setbacks Continue
While Sam Bennett's absence already left a void, the Panthers have further confirmed Aaron Ekblad's placement on the Long Term Injury Reserve. This move makes room for the introduction of Justin Sourdif as Bennett's replacement.
With Sam Bennett in a boot and slated to miss Thursday's season-opener against the Minnesota Wild, the Florida Panthers have recalled rookie forward Justin Sourdif.
In order to facilitate the move salary cap-wise, the Panthers placed defenseman Aaron Ekblad on long term injury reserve.
This is a significant setback for the Panthers, especially following their standout playoff performance last season. Facing a challenging start with four tough matches, these absences are not promising.
Last season, Ekblad delivered with 14 goals and 38 points in 71 games, providing a physical force for the Panthers. The team now faces the challenge of emulating that success amidst notable roster losses.
