Charlotte Checkers
Oct 20, 2026 5:23 PM
Updated Oct 20, 2026 7:21 PM
With Jacob Markstrom sidelined by a practice injury, Florida turns to towering prospect Cooper Black to fortify the crease during a crucial four-game road swing.
The Florida Panthers are getting ready to hit the road again, and they’ll have some new faces along for at least part of the ride.
Earlier this week, Florida brought up Cole Reinhardt and Cole Schwindt from the AHL’s Charlotte Checkers while sending Sam Lafferty back down.
Schwindt skated on the Panthers fourth line during Tuesday’s practice with Boko Imama and Garnet Hathaway.
Also on Tuesday, Florida recalled another player from the Checkers, bringing goaltender Cooper Black up to skate with the national leaguers.
He was on the ice with the Cats Tuesday morning in Fort Lauderdale for their practice at the Baptist Health IcePlex.
You can check out footage from the skate in the video below:
Black’s recall is due to Panthers starting goaltender Jacob Markstrom leaving Monday’s practice early with an undisclosed injury.
Florida head coach Paul Maurice said Markstrom would be out for a week or two after being struck by a puck in a bad spot.
“He’s probably out 10-to-14 days,” Maurice said. “Just got hit with the puck.”
Markstrom also left last Monday’s game in Buffalo after the first period due to something tightening up on him, and he missed two games before returning for Florida’s 8-3 win over Seattle on Saturday.
The injuries are not related, according to a source.
Through six starts, Markstrom has a 3-1-1 record to go with a .897 save percentage and 2.21 goals against average.
As for Black, he’s played three games with AHL Charlotte, going 2-1-0 while allowing eight goals on 99 shots for a .919 save percentage and a 2.67 goals against average.
Looking ahead to Florida’s upcoming road trip, the journey begins with back-to-back games Wednesday and Thursday in Ottawa and Pittsburgh, followed by a Sunday afternoon matchup in Chicago and a second trip over the border to face Winnipeg on Tuesday.
It’s possible Black, who comes in at 6-foot-8, plays in one of those back-to-back games this week, which would be the 25-year-old’s NHL debut.
“That’s a big lad, and he moves like an athlete,” said Maurice. “He played a really strong exhibition game and looked completely comfortable, so he’s on that path. Now is the time for him to get one of these games.”
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