Saarela isn't expected to report to training camp Sunday, David Work of WPLG Local 10 News reports.
Saarela is an unsigned restricted free agent, although the Panthers did table a qualifying offer. The 23-year-old showcased his potential last season with four points -- one on the power play -- over nine games. He's been superb with Lukko of Finnish Liiga this year, ringing up 12 goals and six assists over 19 contests. He won't return to Florida in time to quarantine for the start of training camp, and it's unclear when or if he'll play in the NHL this year.
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Panthers' Aleksi Saarela: No impact in return
Rotowire
Saarela (upper body) skated 13:01 and won his only faceoff in Tuesday's 2-1 win over the Coyotes.
Saarela returned to a fourth-line role Tuesday. He's at two goals in seven contests this season -- fantasy owners aren't likely keeping track of his production at this stage in the Finn's career.
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Panthers' Aleksi Saarela: Good to go
Rotowire
Saarela (upper body) is expected to be available for Tuesday's game against Arizona, George Richards of The Athletic reports.
Saarela exited Saturday's loss to Vegas in the third period with an upper-body injury, but whatever forced him from that contest clearly wasn't overly serious. The 23-year-old rookie is expected to center the Panthers' fourth line against the Coyotes.
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Panthers' Aleksi Saarela: Injured in Saturday's game
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Saarela (upper body) was injured in the third period of Saturday's 5-3 loss to the Golden Knights, George Richards of The Athletic reports.
Saarela brought the Panthers within a goal earlier in the third period, but he didn't return after seemingly injuring his shoulder. Per Richards, head coach Joel Quenneville had no update on the Finn's status after the contest. He'll have a couple days to heal up before Tuesday's game against the Coyotes.
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Panthers' Aleksi Saarela: Notches first NHL goal
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Saarela potted a goal on five shots and went plus-2 in Wednesday's 4-1 win over the Ducks.
Saarela corralled Aaron Ekblad's shot that bounced off the end boards, tucking the puck past John Gibson for the Panthers' third tally. The 23-year-old Finn earned his first NHL goal and point on the play -- he's added eight shots in four contests this year. For now, Saarela figures to serve in a bottom-six role, which makes it unlikely that fantasy owners will have interest in the third-round pick from 2015.
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Panthers' Aleksi Saarela: Up from AHL
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The Panthers recalled Saarela from AHL Springfield on Tuesday.
Saarela will bolster the Panthers' depth at forward as the club begins a four-game road trip on the West Coast. The 23-year-old previously appeared in three games with Florida in December, averaging 11:41 of ice time in those outings.
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Panthers' Aleksi Saarela: Reassigned to minors
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Saarela was demoted to AHL Springfield on Wednesday.
Shipping Saarela back to the minors could be an indication that Jayce Hawryluk (upper body) will be ready to go against the Islanders on Thursday. The 22-year-old Saarela logged three games for the Panthers in which he tallied three shots, and one block while averaging 11:41 of ice time. While this may not be the last we've seen of the Finnish center in the NHL this year, he figures to spend the bulk of his time with the Thunderbirds.
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Panthers' Aleksi Saarela: Promoted from minors
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Saarela was recalled from AHL Springfield on Friday.
Saarela's promotion will provide the Panthers with additional forward depth for their back-to-back Saturday and Sunday against the Blue Jackets and Sharks, respectively, with Jayce Hawryluk (upper body) still unavailable. The 22-year-old Saarela has racked up 10 points in 17 minor-league contests this year, which could earn him a look in a bottom-six role while with the big club.
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Blackhawks' Aleksi Saarela: Heading to Rockford
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Saarela was assigned to the Blackhawks' AHL affiliate Wednesday, Tracey Myers of NHL.com reports.
Chicago is trimming down its roster with the regular season around the corner and is down to 28 men after reassigning Saarela and Adam Boqvist to Rockford. Saarela has yet to play a minute in the NHL so he profiles as organizational depth for Chicago at this stage.
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Blackhawks' Aleksi Saarela: Dished to Blackhawks
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Saarela and Calvin de Haan were dealt to Chicago from Carolina in exchange for Anton Forsberg and Gustav Forsling on Monday.
Saarela racked up 30 goals and 54 points in 69 games for AHL Charlotte last season but has yet to make his NHL debut. The 22-year-old likely could've fought for a bottom-six spot during the preseason with the Hurricanes. Chicago drafted Saarela's brother, Antti, this weekend at the 2019 NHL Draft.
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Hurricanes' Aleksi Saarela: Sent back to AHL
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Saarela was demoted to AHL Charlotte on Sunday.
Saarela made his NHL debut in Game 5 on Saturday, recording a hit in 9:10 of ice time. A third-round pick in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, the 22-year-old scored 54 points in 69 games at the AHL level this season.
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Hurricanes' Aleksi Saarela: Added to playoff roster
Rotowire
Saarela was called up from AHL Charlotte on Friday.
With the Hurricanes getting set for Saturday's pivotal Game 5 versus the Capitals, Saarela -- a notable Finnish prospect who fashioned 54 points (30 goals, 24 assists) for Charlotte this year -- will be available as needed. Saarela's chances of seeing game action largely depend on the status of Jordan Martinook, who is currently bogged down by a lower-body injury.
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Hurricanes' Aleksi Saarela: Shipped back to minors
Rotowire
Saarela was reassigned to AHL Charlotte on Friday.
The Canes activated Marcus Kruger (lower body) from injured reserve, which made Saarela expendable. The youngster will rejoin the Checkers, for whom he's racked up 13 goals and six helpers in 31 outings. The 20-year-old should remain atop the short list of potential recalls throughout the rest of the season.
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Hurricanes' Aleksi Saarela: Promoted to big club
Rotowire
The Hurricanes recalled Saarela from AHL Charlotte on Wednesday.
Carolina placed Marcus Kruger (lower body) on injured reserve in a corresponding move, and Lucas Wallmark (groin) is considered doubtful for the Hurricanes' next contest, so Saarela could make his NHL debut Thursday against the Penguins. The 20-year-old pivot has notched 13 goals and 19 points in 31 games with AHL Charlotte this season.
