While Panthers winger Patric Hornqvist hasn’t played since early December before being shut down with post-concussion symptoms, the veteran told reporters including Michael Russo of The Athletic (subscription link) that isn’t ruling out trying to play next season. Instead, he’ll think about it during the summer and decide after that time. Hornqvist is participating in some on-ice activities with the team but won’t be back in this series while he also sits in on coaching meetings. The 36-year-old is a veteran of 901 career NHL appearances over 15 seasons and is slated to become an unrestricted free agent this summer when his five-year, $26.5MM contract comes to an end. It seems that it will take a while yet before he decides if he’ll try to play a 16th campaign.
More from Florida:
- Panthers head coach Paul Maurice confirmed to reporters including Stephen Whyno of the Associated Press (Twitter link) that forward Eetu Luostarinen will once again be out of the lineup tonight in the fourth game of the Stanley Cup Final. The 24-year-old is dealing with a lower-body injury that he suffered last round against Carolina and has five points in 16 postseason appearances with all of his production coming in the opening round versus Boston.
- One of the top college free agents will be attending Florida’s development camp next summer as Mark Divver of the New England Hockey Journal reports (Twitter link) that forward Riese Gaber will be in camp with the Panthers. The 23-year-old had 20 goals with the University of North Dakota this season but hasn’t signed an NHL deal yet and is expected to return for his senior year in 2023-24. If things go well at camp for Gaber, Florida could get a leg up on other teams looking to sign him in college free agency in 2024.