Panthers skate on, despite uncertain labor future

By Tim Reynolds

Associated Press

Published: Friday, Sept. 14 2012 11:30 a.m. MDT

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Florida Panthers hockey coach Kevin Dineen talks to the media, after an informal skate in Coral Springs, Fla., Friday, Sept. 14, 2012. With a lockout drawing ever closer, the NHL and the players' union are in touch with each other after a day of internal meetings. But no new negotiating sessions are scheduled for Friday, one day before Commissioner Gary Bettman has said he will lock out the players. This would be the NHL's fourth work stoppage since 1992.

J Pat Carter, Associated Press

Summary

Florida Panthers fans waited 12 years to see their team back in the Stanley Cup playoffs.

CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. — Florida Panthers fans waited 12 years to see their team back in the Stanley Cup playoffs.

They'll likely keep waiting to see the raising of last season's Southeast Division championship banner.

Facing an uncertain future because of the looming NHL lockout, many Panthers got together for an informal skate at Florida's training facility on Friday morning, as they have been for much of the offseason.

They're scheduled to be back on Monday, although the locker room will be off-limits if the lockout proceeds as planned.

Panthers forward Stephen Weiss says he understands the frustration on all sides, adding that it's "all the more reason to keep working at it and come to an agreement as soon as possible and get our game back on the ice."

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