Lineup Change: Jack Devine enters Panthers lineup

Doug Plagens just reported that Jack Devine will be in the Panthers lineup tonight in Columbus, per coach Paul Maurice.

It will be the 23-year-old's season debut, and it comes with Florida at 9-7-2 and carrying a two-game losing streak into Nationwide Arena.

Plagens relayed that Jacob Markstrom gets the start in net, with Cam Talbot expected for the Blue Jackets.

Devine's name was not on the lineup before today. He is a 2022 seventh-round pick, 221st overall, and he has yet to register a point over 6 career NHL games. A small forward at 5'9 and 160 pounds, he has to win his minutes with legs and detail.

That is the part he addressed himself. Here is what Devine told the team about the work he put in this summer.

The answer is a modest one: more confidence, a bit more strength, improved skating. It is also the right checklist for a player trying to stick on a third line with Eetu Luostarinen and Anton Lundell.

Lundell has 4 goals but is a -5, so that line has room to be better. Devine gets the right side next to those two on the morning-skate lines, and the fourth line of Imama, Schwindt and Hathaway stays together behind him.

George Richards also shared a look at Devine, Maurice and Seth Jones speaking before puck drop.

How long does Devine have before the stars return?

Not very long, and he should know it. Maurice said he thinks Aleksander Barkov and Brad Marchand are within two weeks of returning, after both skated with the team this morning. We had that in Maurice's update on Barkov and Marchand.

The injury report is more cautious. Marchand is listed as out until at least Nov 21, and Barkov until at least Nov 27.

So this is an audition with a window. When Barkov slides back into the middle, someone leaves the third line, and Devine will have to make that decision hard for Maurice. A seventh-rounder with zero career points does not get many chances to be patient.

Sandis Vilmanis did not skate this morning and will be re-evaluated Thursday, which could keep the lineup in flux a little longer.

Quick hits

WINNIPEG JETSConnor Hellebuyck says what his family went through in Winnipeg "crossed the line," according to Chris Johnston. That is a heavy way to explain a departure.

MINNESOTA WILDMontreal has confirmed Jacob Fowler starts in net against the Wild, with Carey Price watching from the Bell Centre stands. Minnesota still has its own goalie spot open.

TORONTO MAPLE LEAFSChris Tanev made it clear this morning he does not like the load management plan the Leafs have for him. Public pushback ahead of the Avalanche game is not a quiet start.

COLORADO AVALANCHECorey Masisak reports Cale Makar is on the ice for the morning skate in Toronto. It is a step forward for Colorado.

ST-LOUIS BLUESMatthew DeFranks says Joel Hofer gets the net against the Red Wings, with Binnington trade noise still looming over the crease.

This article was written with the help of artificial intelligence, based on public reports and official sources.