Paul Maurice, Panthers Pregame: Vilmanis Makes Debut, Sebrango Home, Florida at Ottawa Senators

Florida Panthers coach Paul maurice meets the media before his team plays the host Ottawa Senators on Jan. 10, 2026.

Sandis Vilmanis was called up from AHL Charlotte on Friday and the 21-year-old will make his NHL debut tonight.

Defenseman Donovan Sebrango will return home to face the Sens for the first time since they lost him to the Panthers on waivers.

Brad Marchand and Matthew Tkachuk will not play.

The Panthers will be without Brad Marchand for the second straight game tonight; he did not play in the third period of Tuesday’s 4-1 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Paul Maurice said at the time it was out of precaution.

Florida has lost two straight including 6-2 in Montreal on Thursday. The Panthers got a pair of goals from Sam Bennett but nothing else.

Florida continues its six-game roadtrip (0-2) on Saturday against the Sens.

Video Courtesy Florida Panthers / @FlaPanthers / Panthers Vision

The Panthers Have Done It Again, Repeat as Cup Champs: https://floridahockeynow.com/florida-panthers-repeat-stanley-cup-champions-2025/

Panthers Get Their New Rings. Yeah, They Nice: https://floridahockeynow.com/stanley-cup-champion-florida-panthers-get-rings-yeah-they-nice/

Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning Bringing Hockey Outdoors – In Florida: https://floridahockeynow.com/nhl-outdoor-hockey-miami-tampa-florida-panthers-lightning/

For the most in-depth coverage of the Florida Panthers:
— Visit Florida Hockey Now — https://floridahockeynow.com

— Subscribe to Florida Hockey Now: https://floridahockeynow.com/membership-account/subscribe-to-fhn/

— Like Our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/flahockeynow/

— On Bluesky:

* https://bsky.app/profile/georgerichards.bsky.social

—Follow us on Twitter: 

* https://twitter.com/GeorgeRichards

* https://twitter.com/thegovman

Video Courtesy Florida Panthers / Panther Vision

6 comments

  1. Thinking about it I can see why’d they’d wana keep Tkachuk and Marchand out of a Senators game even if they are healthy enough to play, lol.

  4. Coach nailed it, been saying it right along in spite of this injury riddled cat season we have to bring the speed ,there are just too many explosive skating teams out there like never before, no game plan, systems, are going to yield results if you can't keep up with the game, as bad as our shortage of man power has been I believe our lack of consistent speed has been dragging us down worse than injuries, realize we still have been playing with many elite players more than most teams even through this challenge, Marchy, Bennet, Rhiny, Eky, …we CAN be better!

  5. Haha I love PoMo's input on knowing the players & their different personalities. Sam Bennett will not say more than 10-words. Brad Marchand will talk even in his sleep. Chucky is engaging. Was that Julian McKenzie asking the question???? Yooooo!! That's awesome to see a NHL reporter that's a HUGE Senators fan asking that question 🤩

Leave a Reply