The Florida Panthers’ defense is banged up, so what have the coaches/management been doing to resolve the problem? For starters, after Cory Murphy went down on Friday, rookie Jason Garrison out of the University of Minnesota was recalled from AHL Rochester and joined the team in St. Louis on Saturday night. Garrison logged 12 minutes of ice time, was even on the night with 0 shots on goal and no PIM. Garrison is not expected to remain with the NHL club right now, though he is doing well in the AHL with 1 goal and 3 assists in 6 games, good for a defenseman.

The team is also exploring other options than call ups. Defenseman Jassen Cullimore is a free agent, and former Panther, who may be resigned to help bolster the defensive corps. Cullimore was not offered a contract when training camp ended in October and has not caught on with another team yet.

In a pinch, Wade Belak is capable of sliding back and playing defense. In some good news, finally, for the defense Bryan McCabe is on track healing from his back injury. McCabe was able to participate in some fitness drills, off the ice, last week and is expected to be able to practice on skates later this week.

Thankfully for the Panthers, they are off until Thursday this week. With their last game being played Saturday, that gives the Panthers 4 days to rest and prepare for 3 games in 4 days next weekend.