Zito said recently that the range for Montour and Ekblad to return is likely 'November to January'

Florida Panthers 2023 training camp is inching closer by the day.

Players have already started making their way back to South Florida to train and prepare in anticipation of the Panthers defending their Eastern Conference title.

One of the biggest questions surrounding the team is how it will look when Opening Night arrives, particularly regarding two of the Cats' top defensemen.

Both Aaron Ekblad and Brandon Montour are recovering after having shoulder surgery during the offseason.

They are each in the process of working their way back, but there has been no definitive information during the offseason as to a timetable.

Speaking to Florida Hockey Now's George Richards, Panthers General Manager Bill Zito said recently that both should be back before the All-Star Break, which arrives in early February, but didn't have much detail beyond that.

“The two D are status quo,’’ Zito said, per FHN. “I think you are safe to say November to January is the range as long as they continue to progress in September and October.’’

Zito also alluded to Montour possibly returning before Ekblad, per Richards.

Aside from the two defenseman, it sounds like the Panthers should be at full strength when they converge on Coral Springs in a couple weeks.

Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Bennett, and Eetu Luostarinen were all dealing with significant ailments when Florida's run to the Stanley Cup Final came to an end in Las Vegas, but Zito told Richards that everyone, other than Ekblad and Montour, are "on schedule."

The Panthers are expected to open training camp around the third week of September.

Next week will be rookie camp at the Ice Den in Coral Springs, followed by the 2023 Southeast Rookie Showcase taking place in Estero from Sept. 15-18.