Florida started camp with seven goaltenders on the roster, but two are heading to AHL Charlotte

The Florida Panthers have begun making cuts to their training camp roster.

Florida began camp last week with a roster of 54 players that included 31 forwards, 16 defensemen and seven goalies.

They are now three games into the preseason, with another four games coming up in the next six days, starting Friday night in Raleigh.

Considering there are so many games coming up in a short amount of time, it makes sense for the Panthers to keep a full roster of skaters until they’re ready to roll out a trimmed down, NHL-ready group.

That concept doesn’t need to include seven tendies though, and the Panthers have released a pair of goaltenders from their camp roster.

Both Ken Appleby and Evan Cormier have been released from their PTOs with Florida and are expected to report to Charlotte Checkers training camp, the Panthers announced Friday.

Appleby played the third period of Florida's 8-7 preseason loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday night. 

He allowed five goals on 15 shots. 

Cormier did not see any preseason game action. 

Remaining on the roster are goaltenders Sergei Bobrovsky, Spencer Knight, Chris Driedger, Cooper Black and Mack Guzda, who has yet to play due to injury.

The Checkers will open their camp next week. 

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