Panthers rookie Justin Sourdif loaned to AHL's Charlotte Checkers
Sourdif played in each of Florida's past three games, his first taste of NHL action
Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports - Panthers rookie Justin Sourdif loaned to AHL's Charlotte CheckersThere was a bit of excitement when not one, but two Florida Panthers rookies made the team's Opening Night roster.
The Panthers are a team in win-now mode, so it's not terribly surprising that their prospect pool isn't the deepest in the league.
That's why when both Mackie Samoskevich and Justin Sourdif survived Florida's training camp roster cuts, it was a great sign.
Samoskevich played in the Panthers first two games before the team sent him to the AHL's Charlotte Checkers in order to get bigger minutes and more playing time in crucial moments.
Sourdif has played in each of Florida's past three games, but he too has now been loaned to the Checkers, the Panthers announced Monday.
Both rookies are expected to be back with the big club at some point later this season.
There was no corresponding move with Sourdif, but Florida is expected to take forwards Sam Bennett and Jonah Gadjovich off Injured Reserve as soon as this week, so the roster space was necessary.
Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice said on Monday that there was a chance both Bennett and Gadjovich would be on the ice with the team for a regular practice on Thursday.
"That's what we're hoping for," Maurice said. "We'll see what happens over the next 48 hours, but that's what we're shooting for."
Maurice said he'd like to get them in two full practices before thinking about dressing them in a game.
During his three games with Florida, Sourdif averaged just under nine minutes of ice time while logging a pair of shots on goal.
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