Florida Panthers News
Luostarinen missed the first three games of the season with an undisclosed injury but will play Thursday vs. the Avalanche. Luostarinen will replace Joe Thornton on the fourth line and skate with Frank Vatrano and Mason Marchment.
Bennett was forced to miss Saturday's preseason game due to COVID-19 protocol but was back on the ice for Monday's practice session. This is a good sign for his availability for the Panthers' season opener vs. the Penguins on Thursday.
Barkov is entering the final year of a six-year, $35.4M deal and is now signed through the 2030 NHL season. The $10.0M AAV cap-hit for Barkov represents a $4.1M AAV raise for the 26-year-old. Barkov is coming off of a season in which he scored 26 goals with 32 assists (58 points) in 50 games.
Gadjovich was a second-round pick of the Canucks in 2017 but has played just one NHL game since. The 22-year-old winger has spent all of his time in the AHL, where he had 15 goals and three assists (18 points) in 19 games a season ago.
Sourdif was a third-round pick (No.87 overall) of the Panthers in 2020. The 18-year-old centre had 34 points (11G / 24A) in 22 games with the Vancouver Giants (WHL) in 2021. The Giants' point leader will return to start the 2022 season.