NOTEBOOK: Family Day at the Den; Claude is a Cat

In today's Baptist Health Practice Notebook, the Panthers have some fun at practice, Aaron Ekblad's long-term outlook appears to be good, and the Cats can't wait for Claude Giroux.
CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. - After a week out on the West Coast, the Panthers toned down the intensity and ramped up the fun in their first practice back at the Panthers IceDen on Sunday.
With music blasting over the rink's loudspeakers, players spent the majority of the hour-long session chirping and cheering while enjoying a few spirited games of 3-on-3 on a half sheet.

When Mason Marchment tucked in a silky-smooth goal in the shootout to clinch a win for Team Red in the second and final spirited game of the afternoon, he was mobbed by his teammates.

Leading the Atlantic Division at 42-14-6, it's safe to say players had earned a respite like this.
"A loose day," Panthers forward Anthony Duclair said with a big smile. "It was good after a long California trip to get home, get to see some family and get to recover. We've got another big trip coming up, so it was good to have a loose day here before getting in a couple days of work."
But even when practice had ended, the fun wasn't over.
With a couple of parents on the Panthers, a few kids laced up their skates and joined in on the action. Among the group was assistant coach Derek MacKenzie's daughter, who put on her goalie gear and got to stop shots from players like Jonathan Huberdeau and Joe Thornton.
On the next sheet over, Radko Gudas was spotted scoring goals with his young son while his daughter practiced her figure skating. Lending a hand, Duclair, who chuckled while talking about "Uncle Duke being activated," got on his knees and played goalie for the Butcher's apprentice.

"It feels like it was a family day at the rink today," Gudas said. "It was great."
After getting through the trade deadline on Monday, the Panthers will practice once again on Tuesday before hitting the road for a three-game trip that begins in Montreal on Thursday.

EKBLAD IN GOOD SPIRITS

A lighthearted practice wasn't the only thing that had players smiling.
While the full extent of the injury isn't known just yet, Panthers interim head coach Andrew Brunette said things are looking optimistic when it comes to Aaron Ekblad's long-term status.
Injured on his first shift during Friday's 3-0 win at Anaheim, Florida's No. 1 defenseman headed down the tunnel after his right leg buckled during a collision along the boards. Unable to put any weight on the affected leg, he had to be helped to the locker room by trainers and did not return.
"We're kind of re-evaluating here," said Brunette, adding that the team is still waiting for some swelling to go down. "We'll know more in the next couple days. He's in good spirits. It's nothing overly concerning here long term. Let's make sure we get him healthy here down the stretch."
Having a Norris Trophy-worthy season prior to the injury, Ekblad currently ranks fifth among NHL defensemen in scoring with a career-high 57 points (15 goals, 42 assists) in 61 games.
A force in the possession game, his advanced numbers also jump off the page. When he's been deployed a 5-on-5 this season - usually against opposing team's top lines -- the Panthers have led 1,180-849 in shot attempts and 623-436 in scoring chances, according to Natural Stat Trick.
Averaging 24:55 of ice time per tilt, he ranks second among NHL blueliners with a +38 rating.
"We want to make sure it's right, it's OK and he's healthy," Brunette said of Ekblad's recovery.
With Ekblad sidelined for the time being, the Panthers thankfully have plenty of depth to try and help fill that large void on their blue line. With players like MacKenzie Weegar, Gustav Forsling, Brandon Montour and Gudas already in place, they've also recently added two new defenders.
Acquired from the Canadiens on Thursday, Brunette said that Ben Chiarot will have "a great opportunity" to earn some extra minutes in Ekblad's absence. Familiar with playing a big role, the hard-nosed veteran averaged 23:33 of ice time with Montreal per game prior to the trade.
Further bolstering the back end, Robert Hagg came over in a trade with Buffalo on Sunday.
"We've got some depth, some defensemen that can step up," Duclair said.
More updates on Ekblad's status should be available next week.

CLAUDE THE CAT

Even though he wasn't in the building, Claude Giroux was the talk of practice.
Acquired from Philadelphia in a headline-making move on Saturday, the longtime Flyers captain and seven-time all-star is expected to join the Panthers for their next practice on Tuesday.
One of the top forwards in the NHL over the last decade, Giroux, a veteran of 85 career playoff games, had posted 42 points (18 goals, 24 assists) in 57 games prior to the deal going down.
"He really wants to be here," Brunette said. "He's willing to make anything work. On the phone with him [he told me], 'Wherever you need to play me, I've got to earn it and want to earn it.'"
Asked about loading up for a potentially deep postseason run, Brunette credited the job that both players and management have done to make South Florida a destination in the NHL.
"What we have going on, they all want to be a part of," Brunette said. "That's really special for this whole organization that people outside of Florida think that. The guys have created this culture. It's been fun to be a part of it."
With big-name additions like Giroux and Chariot, the team's confidence is at an all-time high.
"I spoke to both of them and they're both excited," Gudas said. "It's an amazing feeling to come to the rink knowing you're on a team that's rolling, wants to roll, wants to get better, wants to do the little things right and wants to roll over teams."
For more on what Giroux could bring to the Cats, stay tuned for more articles next week.

OTHER NOTES

• Anton Lundell missed practice due to an illness. That being said, Brunette noted that he's "getting close" to returning from the injury that has kept him out of the lineup since March 7. Having a brilliant rookie season, the 20-year-old has posted 38 points (14 goals, 24 assists).
  - Two key pieces of Florida's fourth line, Patric Hornqvist and Ryan Lomberg, both skated prior to practice and "aren't far off" from returning from their injuries. Looking ahead, Brunette said that he's hopeful both players can join the team for practice on either Tuesday or Wednesday.