Richard Panik News

Panik was acquired from the Maple Leafs back in January and finished the season with a total of 15 goals and 18 assists (33 points). His $875K is a $100,000 pay-cut from what he earned in 2015-16.

Panik was a healthy scratch in two of the last three games, but will replace Brandon Mashinter in the lineup tonight. Panik has five points (3G / 2A) in 21 games with the Blackhawks this season.

Panik overslept and missed the Blackhawks morning skate, so he will be scratched tonight vs. the Lightning. With Panik our and Ryan Garbutt traded (to Anaheim) the Blackhawks will go with 11 forwards and seven defensemen.

Panik, 24, was a second round pick (52nd overall) in 2009 and has 25 points (9G / 16A) in 33 games with the Marlies this season. Panik has 39 career points (19G / 20A) in 151 NHL games with the Lightning and the Maple Leafs. He will report to Rockford (AHL).

After clearing waivers, the Maple Leafs have assigned Panik to the minors in order to make room to recall Scott Harrington, who is expected to make his Maple Leafs debut tonight.

Panik, 24, had 11 goals and six assists (17 points) in 76 games with the Maple Leafs last season. Toronto brought in a tonne of depth pieces this offseason which continuously push Panik down the depth chart, to the point where he has been placed on waivers with the intention of sending him to the minors.

Panik left Sunday’s game after a hit-to-the-head and he will be held out of tonight’s game for precautionary reasons. There is no word whether or not Panik suffered a concussion, but expect Trevor Smith to get back into the lineup with Panik out.

Panik was claimed off of waivers from the Lightning on Wednesday and it looks like he will play on the Maple Leafs third line with Peter Holland and Daniel Winnik on Saturday. Panik has a lot of offensive skill, but still needs to work on the defensive part of his game.

Panik, 23, was the Lightning's second round pick (53rd overall) in 2009. He has a lot of skill and upside, but could't find his way in Tampa, posting just eight goals and 14 assists (22 points) in 75 career games. A year ago I don't think the Maple Leafs make this claim, but with a new direction and focus on scoring goals and puck possession, Panik seems to fit their future plans.

Panik has 11 points (2G / 9A) in 39 games with the Lightning this season. While with Syracuse he had three goals and eight assists (11 points) in 13 games. With Panik coming up, Vladislav Namestnikov is going down to Syracuse.

Panik was a healthy scratch in five of the last eight games and had just 11 points (2G / 9A) with a minus-8 rating in 39 games. At 22-years-old he has room to grow as a player and this demotion will help him do so.

Alzner was not injured on the play with 4:29 left in the second period, and Panik was given a five-minute major penalty for boarding on which the Capitals scored twice. The NHL ruled Alzner was in a "vulnerable position" and "at a dangerous distance from the boards" when he was hit, causing "a violent collision with the boards." Panik will miss tonight's game vs. the Red Wings and Saturday's vs. the Devils. He is eligible to return on Sunday in Detroit.

At 16:31 of the second period, Panik hit Alzner in the neutral zone, driving him into the boards. Alzner remained down briefly, but returned to the game in the third period. Panik was assessed a five-minute major for boarding on the play. The following grounds are being considered for supplemental discipline: boarding. However, the Department of Player Safety retains the right to make adjustments to the infraction upon review.

Panik will look to get back into head coach Jon Cooper's good side after being a healthy scratch on Tuesday. He has no points and a minus-2 rating in two games.

Panik averaged 13:02 TOI and was a minus-2 in Tampa Bay's first two games.

Panik had five goals and four assists in 25 games with the Lightning.

Ryan Malone (left shoulder) put on IR and Benoit Pouliot (right shoulder) is not as far along as hoped.