Panthers' Sandis Vilmanis: Puts up three points in AHL win
Rotowire
Vilmanis scored a goal and added two assists in AHL Charlotte's 5-1 win over Toronto on Friday.
Vilmanis ended a seven-game goal drought, a span in which he had just two assists. The Latvian forward is still working on his consistency in his second AHL campaign, but with 10 points and a plus-10 rating over 16 appearances, he's taken a clear step forward. He was limited to nine goals and 27 points in 61 regular-season outings in 2024-25.
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Panthers' Sandis Vilmanis: Nets two goals for Checkers
Rotowire
Vilmanis scored twice on four shots in AHL Charlotte's 5-3 win over Springfield on Saturday.
Vilmanis lasted around the Panthers' camp for a while, but he fell short of the Opening Night roster. The 21-year-old winger is in the second season of his three-year, entry-level contract and has yet to make his NHL debut. He's produced two goals and five points over eight games with the Checkers so far, so a call-up to the Panthers is unlikely in the near term.
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Panthers' Sandis Vilmanis: Won't play Wednesday
Rotowire
Vilmanis (undisclosed) won't play in Wednesday's preseason game against Carolina, Walt Ruff of the Hurricanes' official site reports.
Vilmanis was in a non-contact sweater during Tuesday's practice, and he'll be held out of Wednesday's preseason matchup due to his undisclosed injury. The exact nature and severity of the issue aren't yet clear, but he's a long shot to make the Panthers' Opening Night roster.
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Panthers' Sandis Vilmanis: Sporting non-contact jersey
Rotowire
Vilmanis, who is dealing with an undisclosed injury, hit the ice Tuesday in a non-contact sweater, Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site reports.
Vilmanis is a long shot to make the Opening Night roster, even if he does get the all-clear soon. With AHL Charlotte last year, the 21-year-old winger notched nine goals and 18 helpers in 61 regular-season tilts before adding another seven points in 11 postseason outings.
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Panthers' Sandis Vilmanis: Not on opening roster
Rotowire
Vilmanis did not make the Panthers' opening roster announced Monday.
Vilmanis will likely spend most of 2024-25 with AHL Charlotte. He racked up 67 points over 60 regular-season games and 27 points in 16 playoff outings in the OHL last year, splitting the season between Sarnia and North Bay.
