The Florida Panthers recalled Jesse Puljujarvi, Rasmus Asplund and Matt Kiersted from the American Hockey League before their April 6 game against the Detroit Red Wings. The teams were scheduled to meet at 5:30 p.m. ET at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.
The recalls came with Aleksander Barkov, Matthew Tkachuk, Nico Sturm and Dmitry Kulikov out because of injuries. Aaron Ekblad was also unavailable while serving a suspension. The Florida Panthers clinched a playoff berth April 5, with six regular-season games remaining.
Florida Panthers recall three players
Asplund had appeared in two games with the Florida Panthers earlier in the season. He recorded 42 points, including 19 goals and 23 assists, in 62 games with the Charlotte Checkers.
Puljujarvi signed an American Hockey League professional tryout with the Charlotte Checkers in February before signing a two-way contract with the Florida Panthers on March 5 for the remainder of the 2024-25 season. The forward recorded 12 points, including five goals and seven assists, in 20 games with Charlotte.
The Edmonton Oilers selected Puljujarvi in the first round, fourth overall, of the 2016 NHL Draft. He had appeared in 382 career NHL games and recorded 57 goals.
Kiersted has been part of the Florida Panthers organization since signing as a college free agent in 2021. He recorded a career-high 27 points in 63 games with the Charlotte Checkers. Kiersted also had six points, including two goals and four assists, in 37 career games with the Florida Panthers.
Florida Panthers remain in Atlantic Division race
With six games remaining, the Florida Panthers trailed the Toronto Maple Leafs by six points for first place in the Atlantic Division. Florida was also two points behind the Tampa Bay Lightning for second place. The Panthers were set to make their sixth consecutive trip to the postseason.
Head coach Paul Maurice was expected to provide an update closer to puck drop on whether any of the three recalls would enter the lineup against the Detroit Red Wings.
Source: Original report