McFarland -- who was playing with AHL Bakersfield on a minor-league contract -- will hang up his skates the team announced Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

McFarland spent the bulk of his career in the AHL where he logged 199 games and racked up 39 goals, 42 helpers and 84 PIM. The winger was drafted 33rd overall in the 2010 NHL Draft by the Panthers, but saw action in just three NHL games for the club back in 2015-16.

McFarland inked a contract with Finnish Liiga side SaiPa on Monday.

EDGE Analysis

McFarland has appeared in a mere three contests for Florida last season and was minus-1 with two shots on goal while average just under 10 minutes per night. It is an unceremonious departure from the Panthers organization for a player selected 33rd overall in the 2010 NHL Draft. This could be the night cap on a disappointing career for the 24-year-old.

McFarland was assigned to the Portland Pirates of the AHL on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

McFarland made his way into the past three games for the parent club, with last Saturday's appearance against the Predators counting as his NHL debut. Panthers general manager Dale Tallon likes to bring up players from the lower ranks for brief stints, and McFarland heading back down to the minors affords 23-year-old forward Kyle Rau the chance to show team brass how far he's come along in his development. Florida is currently situated in second place in the Eastern Conference, thus giving it a chance to closely examine depth players, including McFarland, who's produced 14 goals and eight assists in 43 games with the Pirates.

McFarland was recalled from AHL Portland on Friday, Craig Davis of the Sun Sentinel reports.

EDGE Analysis

Life has been good for the Panthers with a 6-3-1 record over the last 10 games. Still, the team is showing no fear in tweaking the roster a bit to preserve the lead in the Atlantic Division. McFarland is more of a natural scorer than Corban Knight, who was sent down to the minors in a corresponding move. Known to be smooth on his skates, McFarland produced 14 goals, eight assists and a plus-5 rating with the Pirates ahead of his call-up. He has the talent to be an impact player, but McFarland is still raw having yet to make his NHL debut.

McFarland was released by the Panthers on Monday, George Richards of the Miami Herald reports.

EDGE Analysis

McFarland is now eligible to sign elsewhere despite signing a one-year contract with Florida back in mid-July. Wherever he ends up, McFarland is likely in store for another year spent mostly in the AHL where he made 46 outings last season for San Antonio.

McFarland signed a one-year (two-way) contract with the Panthers on Wednesday. The 23-year-old winger will get a chance to compete for a roster spot with the Panthers in training camp. He played pretty well with AHL San Antonio last season, racking up 19 points in 46 games with the team.

John McFarland scored one of the Panthers' four goals in an 8-4 blowout loss at the hands of the Predators' rookies Friday evening. Other Florida goal scorers were Josh McFadden, Logan Shaw and Chris Clapperton. The Baby Cats were actually wining this game 3-2 going into the third period but fell completely apart. McFarland had a good season in the ECHL in 2013 but that is a long way from being successful at the NHL level.

John McFarland is itching to play in the NHL this season. McFarland is a stud OHL player who is making the push for NHL playing time. After his trade to Saginaw last year he scored 19 goals in 37 games. He will make a great compliment to Stephen Weiss, if he can crack the roster. His status will not be known until training camp breaks.