Kris Versteeg and Stephen Weiss are both out for the Panthers on Saturday night. Versteeg is still dealing with a groin injury, while Weiss' is termed "lower body." Versteeg hasn't played a game yet this season, and this will be the second one Weiss has missed in a row. Florida's next game is Tuesday.

Kris Versteeg (groin) is doubtful for Saturday's game. Versteeg did take part in Saturday's practice, but then he stayed on the ice for an extra bag-skate afterwards. Panthers coach Kevin Dineen didn't rule him out for Saturday's contest, but he probably wouldn't have stayed out for extra work if he was going to play tonight.

Kris Versteeg (lower body) skated on his own Thursday. He isn't expected to play on Saturday though and it's unclear when he will be ready to make his season debut. Consider him day-to-day for the time being.

Kris Versteeg (lower body) was placed on injured reserve by the Panthers on Monday. He can be activated by Friday and is believed to be sidelined with a groin ailment. Versteeg was Florida's third-leading scorer last season with 54 points in 71 games, so his absence removes plenty of offense from their lineup.

Kris Versteeg will not be available on Monday. Versteeg also missed Saturday's contest and might not be ready for Tuesday's contest. He had 23 goals and 54 points in 71 games last season.

Kris Versteeg's undisclosed injury is related to his groin. Versteeg is "very questionable" for Florida's games on Monday and Tuesday, according to Panthers coach Kevin Dineen. Versteeg had 23 goals and 54 points in 71 games last season.

Kris Versteeg will not play on Saturday due to an undisclosed injury. Versteeg might have sustained the ailment during Friday's practice. He's projected to serve on Florida's top line when he's healthy.

Kris Versteeg, who has fully recovered from hip surgery, will once again skate on Florida's top line. He will start the season alongside Stephen Weiss and Tomas Fleischmann. This troika got off to an extremely hot start last season before cooling off after the All-Star break. Look for Versteeg to be a solid 30-point player in 2013.

The lockout is threatening to stunt the growth around the Panthers' interest in Florida. David. J. Neal of the Miami Herald wrote a column discussing the Marlins' (because of their recent trade) and Panthers' backseat in Florida. The Panthers made the playoffs for the first time since 2000 last year, snapping an NHL-record 10 straight years out of the playoffs. For awhile, it was the Panthers' "sheer ineptitude" that limited fan growth. Now, it's the lockout that's set them back once again. Neal's point is that while some franchises -- like the Maple Leafs -- can endure a run of bad play (or work stoppages) without hurting attendance or local status, the Panthers don't have that fortune.

Kris Versteeg spoke with TSN 1050 (Toronto) on Monday and he had some harsh words for NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and deputy commissioner Bill Daly. "You've got to cut out the cancers and I think when you look at Bill Daly and Bettman, they've been polluting this game for far too long," he said. Detroit defenseman Ian White also publicly criticized Bettman recently by calling him an "idiot." The commissioner isn't winning any popularity contests with the players, but it doesn't change the fact that the two sides will have to see eye-to-eye to reach an agreement on a new CBA.