Panthers Make Minor Adjustments

Robert Picarello/NHL.com correspondent

Drew Larman is one of the AHL call-ups that has stepped in for the Panthers.

While it may not appear that way in the standings, the minor adjustments the Florida Panthers have made to their lineup have served them well.

With injuries to core players like Todd Bertuzzi, Gary Roberts, Jozef Stumpel, Branislav Mezei and Rostislav Olesz, not to mention the retirement of Joe Nieuwendyk, the Cats have had to make the call to the Rochester Americans several times. Overall, the injury bug has really bitten the Panthers hard, as the club had already lost a total of 133 man games to injury after only 59 games.

Coming into Thursday's action, Florida had recalled eight players from the Americans and the AHLers have more than held their own. Right wing Greg Jacina was the first youngster recalled from the Amerks, getting the call Oct. 10. He appeared in two games before being sent back down three days later. A little over a month later, Jacina got recalled again for some more rewarding fill-in duty.

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