Cole Schwindt Returns To Practice In Full Contact; Expected To Be In Panthers Lineup Against Penguins

The Florida Panthers take on the Pittsburgh Penguins twice this weekend, and they could see injured center Cole Schwindt back in their lineup.

The 24-year-old has been out of the lineup since Feb. 26 after sustaining a lower-body injury. This stint on the LTIR is his second go-around, after breaking his arm earlier in the season.

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With all the time he’s missed due to injuries, Schwindt has played just 22 games, scoring 3 goals and totaling 4 points.

The 6-foot-3, fourth-line center was originally drafted by the Panthers in the third round (81st overall) in the 2019 draft, but was dealt to the Calgary Flames in the Matthew Tkachuk trade. Later, he was claimed off waivers by the Vegas Golden Knights, and then again this season, was claimed off waivers by the Panthers.

In 71 games between the Panthers, Golden Knights, and Flames, Schwindt has scored four goals and 12 points, averaging 9:12 of ice time.

If Schwindt can return for either Saturday or Sunday’s road games against the Panthers, Maurice must decide who exits the lineup. The most likely candidates are anyone on the fourth line. At the moment, that is Vinnie Hinostroza, Nolan Foote and Luke Kunin.

Panthers Receive More Bad News On A Pair Of Veteran Defenders Veteran Florida Panthers defensemen Aaron Ekblad and Dmitry Kulikov sustained injuries against the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday night.

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But given the way the Panthers’ season has gone, there is a high chance another forward will exit tonight’s game early with an injury and be unable to play this weekend.

Additionally, Dmitry Kulikov has suffered a pretty severe broken nose, but Maurice said Kulikov wants to play, so there is a chance he can return against the Penguins, as he has already been ruled out of tonight’s game against the Boston Bruins.

Maurice and his coaching staff are doing a lot of line juggling due to injuries.

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