The Florida Panthers just announced they have recalled forward Jack Devine from the Checkers, hours before today's game at Boston.
The move comes on the second night of a back-to-back, a day after Sandis Vilmanis was helped off the ice in Washington following a hit from Tom Wilson.
The Panthers' official account confirmed the recall this morning. There was no word on how Devine will be used.
The Vilmanis situation is the biggest part of the backdrop. Wilson was ejected for boarding Vilmanis on Saturday, and the winger will be seen by another doctor.
According to the latest injury report, Vilmanis is listed as day-to-day, with an estimated return of no earlier than Nov. 12.
Anton Lundell also missed Saturday's game and is listed as day-to-day. The same report puts his earliest return at today, and that is only an estimate.
What the Devine recall means for Florida's forwards
Devine is 23, a seventh-round pick of the Panthers in 2022 (221st overall). He has not played an NHL game this season, and his career line reads 6 games, no points.
The Panthers haven't said whether he will play today or in what role. For now, the move simply adds a forward to the group.
Losing two forwards at once is a real problem for a team sitting 15th in the NHL at 9-6-2. Florida can't treat this as routine depth shuffling against the team it faces today.
Boston is 12-4-1, first in the Atlantic, and has won three straight. The Panthers arrive after a 4-3 loss in Washington, and they sit fifth in the division.
We will keep tabs on the lineup and on what the Panthers say about Vilmanis after the second opinion. The league has yet to say whether it will look at Wilson's hit on Vilmanis.
Quick hits
LOS ANGELES KINGSDarcy Kuemper sounds day to day after leaving last night's game against Pittsburgh, per Steve Kouleas. The Kings are waiting on tests, and a goalie injury is never a good way to start a Sunday.
WINNIPEG JETSDefenseman Elias Salomonsson will be away from the team indefinitely for personal reasons, according to a post on X this morning. No other details yet.
DETROIT RED WINGSCaptain Dylan Larkin's banner outside Little Caesars Arena has been removed, according to Ansar Khan. Fans will want to know why.
TORONTO MAPLE LEAFSGavin McKenna knew he was probably going to sit after his mistake against Montreal. The Maple Leafs weren't going to let him stew, though.
CHICAGO BLACKHAWKSThe Blackhawks called a players-only meeting after last night's 9-2 loss in Carolina, per Spittin' Chiclets. After a score like that, it was overdue.
Latest Stories
Trade Rumor: Florida picks are in play for BlackhawksTHE PANTHERS NEED AN ANSWER IN COLUMBUSAaron Portzline just flagged how many goals the Panthers have been leaking: 16 allowed over their last four games, with Columbus up next.
Panthers carry a two-game skid into ColumbusCOLUMBUS GETS BAD NEWS BEFORE PANTHERS GAMERick Bowness just ruled Conor Garland out for Tuesday night's Blue Jackets game against the Panthers, per DMaetzMedia.
Lineup Change: Blue Jackets lose Garland vs PanthersWILSON FINALLY SPEAKS ABOUT SATURDAYRMNB just shared Tom Wilson's explanation for boarding Sandis Vilmanis, and he says he reached out to the Panthers' locker room.
Tom Wilson explains his boarding hit on Sandis VilmanisBOSTON HAS PICKED ITS NEW ENEMYBrady Tkachuk and the Panthers left Boston with a 4-1 loss Sunday, and now Bruins media are calling Florida their most hated team.
Panthers have become the Bruins' most hated teamTHE PANTHERS HAVE A SCHEDULE PROBLEMGeorge Richards pointed out this morning that the Panthers' nine wins come with a catch: four of them were against the Jets and Blackhawks.
Panthers' nine wins come with a catchA BIG DAY FOR THE TKACHUK FAMILYMatthew Tkachuk and his brother Brady are celebrating their father Keith's Hall of Fame induction, and the Panthers forwards call it legacy.
Tkachuk brothers celebrate Keith's Hall of Fame momentTHINGS GOT UGLY IN BOSTONBrady Tkachuk dropped the gloves with Nikita Zadorov off the opening draw Sunday, and the Panthers' night in Boston only got uglier.
Brady Tkachuk starts a wild night at TD Garden