COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Florida Panthers recalled goalie Cooper Black from the AHL Charlotte Checkers ahead of Tuesday’s road game against the Columbus Blue Jackets, the team announced, after starter Jacob Markstrom exited Monday’s game in Buffalo with an undisclosed ailment.
Markstrom played the entire first period of Monday’s contest, left during the first intermission and did not return as the Panthers dropped a 5-3 decision to the Sabres. Akira Schmid finished the game and is expected to start Tuesday at Nationwide Arena, with Black serving as backup.
Head coach Paul Maurice downplayed Markstrom’s status after the loss, according to Florida Hockey Now. “There’s no injury there,” Maurice said. “Nothing we can’t deal with. Just standard stuff.”
Black, 25, is being called up to the NHL for the first time, though Florida Hockey Now reported he came close to a recall late last season. The Panthers signed the 6-foot-8 netminder out of Dartmouth in 2024. Last season with Charlotte, Black took over as starter, went 25-13-4 with a 2.47 goals-against average and a .903 save percentage, and helped the Checkers reach the playoffs. Through two games this season, he is 1-1 with 58 saves on 66 shots faced.
Florida leads the all-time regular season series against Columbus 29-17-10 and defeated the Blue Jackets 2-1 last season. Tuesday’s game at Nationwide Arena is set for 6:15 p.m. The Panthers’ next home game against Columbus is scheduled for Nov. 10, with Florida hosting the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday at 7 p.m.