The Florida Panthers will kick off their seven-game preseason this week with a doubleheader against the Nashville Predators on Monday at BB&T Center. Now in its seventh season, this unique tradition between the two clubs has quickly become a favorite for coach Bob Boughner.
"It's a really good evaluation tool," Boughner said after Sunday's training camp scrimmage at the Panthers IceDen." You get to play a lot of young guys. You don't have a lot of exhibition games. You want to give everybody a fair shot and give everybody an opportunity.
"That's what the doubleheader allows us to do… I want to give a lot of guys shots and reward some guys for good camps, for good years last year in Springfield. And, of course, there's other guys knocking on the door as well that I'm anxious to see."
The first game of the doubleheader will get underway at 3:30 p.m., with the other following at 7:00 p.m. Fans who purchase tickets for one game are granted access to the second at no additional cost. Additionally, a livestream will also be available on Panthers Vision for those who want to check-in on the action but are unable to attend.
Boughner said that at least eight veterans will suit up in each game for the Panthers.
"You've got to push someone out of their job to make our team. You have to show what you can do in preseason. You have to leave an impression on the management in the coaching staff. It's got to be that consistency more than anything, if I had to pick one word."
The first two games in a seven-game preseason for the Panthers, the doubleheader could be the only chance for some fringe roster players to prove they belong, as Boughner has said on numerous occasions that he hopes to field "a competitive lineup" later in the week.
"For guys like me, it's a good way to show the coaching staff what I can bring to the team," said 2016 first-round pick Henrik Borgstrom, who is entering his first full season in the pros. "The older guys are just waiting for the regular season to start. For me, at least, these games are a big window to show my skills."
Following Monday's doubleheader, the Panthers will visit Montreal on Wednesday. After that, the team will return home for a few days before heading to Tulsa, Oklahoma for a neutral-site game against the Dallas Stars on Saturday at the BOK Center. Home venue of the ECHL's Tulsa Oilers, this will be the first-ever NHL game played at the minor-league arena.
"We're just ready to play hockey," center Vincent Trocheck said. "Let's get September over with and get into October. We want to figure everything out right now. We want our system to be in place. We want everyone to have it locked in, and then we're ready to go."
