Florida Panthers Prospects to Play in Syracuse This Season

With the Checkers choosing not to participate in the 2020-21 AHL season, Florida Panthers prospects that would otherwise have played in Charlotte will now be assigned to the Syracuse Crunch.

The Panthers' partnership with the Crunch's parent club, the in-state rival Tampa Bay Lightning, will not affect the status of the Checkers' affilation with the Panthers moving forward.

"Our affilation remains intact and our prospects will return to Charlotte upon resumption of play next season," the Panthers said in a social media post accompanying the announcement.

NHL training camps are underway, with the beginning of its regular season set to begin on Jan. 13. A schedule for the 2020-21 AHL season has not been announced beyond the anticipated start date of Feb. 5.