Good morning and welcome to "Cats & Coffee," a weekly segment, presented by Koffee Kult, in which we serve up an exciting look at what's on deck for your Florida Panthers. Like our friends at Koffee Kult, this forecast serves up only the best -- so sit back, sip and enjoy our latest brew of news, notes and information.
The wait is finally over… The boys are back!
For the first time in more than four months the Florida Panthers will share the ice as a full team this week when the organization opens up its training camp at the Panthers IceDen in Coral Springs on Monday to begin preparations for what players hope will be a long postseason run.
"It's obviously awesome," Panthers winger Frank Vatrano said. "We're playing the next season now. We're playing for something. You play all season long to get a shot at a Stanley Cup. We put ourselves in a position to be in that spot, so we're really excited for the challenge ahead."
As part of Phase 2 of the NHL's Return to Play Plan, players have been participating in small-group workouts at the facility since early June. During these sessions, no more than six players (later increased to 12) were allowed to share the ice at once due to social distancing guidelines.
But, as the league moves into Phase 3 with the opening of camps, there will now be up to 30 players and also an unlimited number of goaltenders allowed in the facility. That being said, precautions and still being taken and players will continue to be tested regularly for COVID-19.
At this point, however, these tests have become part of the regular routine for players.
"It's pretty much the same everyday with that and we're starting to get accustomed to that," Panthers winger Brett Connolly said. "That's obviously new, but it's what we need to be doing. We need to be tested; everyone needs to be safe. [The coronavirus] is obviously still out there."
By virtue of their 35-26-8 record, the Panthers will enter the postseason (which will be played at two hub cities without fans) as the 10th seed in the Eastern Conference. In a rematch from the 2016 playoffs, they will battle the seventh-seeded New York Islanders in the Qualifying Round.
Unlike later rounds, the Stanley Cup Qualifier will be an abbreviated best-of-five series.
As far as scheduling, training camp is expected to last just under three weeks. After that, the team will head to Toronto to begin Phase 4 with its first game against the Islanders on Aug. 1.
To see the full slate of upcoming games, click HERE.
"It's a good feeling," Panthers goaltender Chris Driedger said. "Tons of info came out over the last few days, so it's been fun to just look at that and see where we're at. They've got the hotels out and they've got our schedule and everything like that. It's been interesting and it's going to be a lot of fun going forward. Yeah, we're looking forward to winning some games here."
As the Panthers prepare to start polishing their X's and O's, training camp will also see the return of coaches to the facility, which means players will be reunited on the ice with head coach Joel Quenneville and his crew for the first time since the team's 2-1 win in St. Louis back on March 9.
And even though it's still early, the Panthers like their chances with Coach Q behind the bench.
"He knows what he's doing, and he's been there before," Vatrano said of Quenneville, who led the Chicago Blackhawks to championships in 2010, 2013 and 2015. "He's won Stanley Cups. He's went on long runs, so he knows what's going to get us ready. I think the guys are ready."
Stay tuned to FloridaPanthers.com for updates throughout training camp.
EPISODE 2 OF PANTHERS UNCAGED
It's time for Episode 2!
After premiering two weeks ago, the second installment of "Panthers Uncaged" is slated to be released Wednesday on Florida's official Facebook, IGTV, PanthersVision and YouTube pages.
A brand-new online docuseries focusing on the team's return to the ice following a three-month lockdown due to the coronavirus, Episode 2 of the series will provide fans with never-before-seen access as players are tested for COVID-19 and shake off the rust at the Panthers IceDen.
In the first episode, which can be viewed below, fans were given a glimpse as what's to come before getting a full recap of the team's season up until the Return to Play Plan was approved.
Video: Panthers Uncaged: Episode 1
"For the fans and other people, to see hockey teams coming back, see how they're skating, how they're preparing to go on the ice and preparing for training camp, I think it's going to be a huge thing," Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov said. "Everybody's going to be excited to see it."
Have you been watching? Share your thoughts on social media using #PanthersUncaged!
PANTHERLAND CURBSIDE PICKUP & DELIVERY
Did you know Pantherland is now doing curbside pickup and delivery?
Head on over to FloridaPanthers.com/Pantherland to check out all of the new collections and to order something for either your own closet or as a gift for some of the Panthers fans in your life.
The top item right now? Face coverings, of course!
Now you can stay safe and show off your Panthers pride.
Curbside pickup is available on Friday and Saturday from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at BB&T Center.
DONATIONS NEEDED
Our friends at Baptist Health need your help!
Following the link in the tweet below to learn about donating convalescent plasma.
CATS CLIP OF THE WEEK
Coach Q joined NHL Network last month to discuss the road to the postseason and more.
Video: Panthers Joel Quenneville Talks Playoffs and More
CATS IN THE COMMUNITY
TERRITORY TALK
NHL.com Deputy Managing Editor Brian Compton joined last week's episode of the Territory Talk podcast to share what he thinks the Panthers can expect from the New York Islanders in the upcoming Stanley Cup Qualifier. From key players to watch the battle behind the bench between Joel Quenneville and Barry Trotz, this episode dives deep into the best-of-five series.
COLD COFFEE (IN CASE YOU MISSED IT)
-- The NHL and NHLPA have ratified a four-year CBA extension.
-- There have been some updates regarding the 2020 NHL Draft.
-- VAULTED: The Panthers set a franchise record with 12 straight wins in 2015-16.
-- It's time for a refresher! Look back at Florida's 20-goal scorers from the regular season.
-- NHL.com has come up with five questions facing the Panthers in the Qualifying Round.
-- VAULTED: The Panthers acquired a living legend at the trade deadline in 2015.
-- The Panthers picked a very special Community Champion for their Pride Night on Feb. 8.
-- The Panthers have issued a statement on the departure of Chris Pronger.
-- Did know you can watch past episodes of "Inside the Panthers" on demand?
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July 13, 2020 at 09:03PM
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Cats & Coffee: Training Camp Begins as Panthers Enter Phase 3 - NHL.com
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