You would think that with as often players are traded between Canada and the United States in multiple major sports, the process to get work visas squared away would be simple and quick.
Sadly that is not the case.
Since Teddy Purcell was traded from Edmonton and Jiri Hudler from Calgary, they were both able to play in the Panthers' 3-2 win over Winnipeg Tuesday night.
That was not the case in Denver two nights later.
Both Purcell and Hudler were caught in visa red tape and were unable to play in Florida's 3-2 loss to the Avalanche, which should have been at least a point for the Panthers if not for Avs goaltender Calvin Pickard's heroic performance.
Purcell arrived 10 minutes after the game started after flight delays added to his frustration. Hudler was still north of the border.
Head coach Gerard Gallant once again had to put Steven Kampfer in the lineup as a forward to make up for the holes, contributing to a sluggish start that ultimately was too much to overcome.
Both Purcell and Hudler are now with the team for tonight's extremely important game in Arizona. The Panthers are not first place in the Atlantic Division for the first time since Jan. 2nd.
Crunch time has indeed arrived.
This is the last game on this 5-game road trip for the Panthers before heading home for three.
Coyotes' talented rookie Max Domi has been suspended for tonight's game after attacking Anaheim's Ryan Garbutt Thursday night.
While not completely healthy, the Purcell and Hudler are just what the doctor ordered for a team needing to keep pace with Tampa. When they return home, Jonathan Huberdeau and Derek MacKenzie should be rejoining the team, leaving only captain Willie Mitchell's return in a few weeks from the team being 100% for the final stretch of the regular season.
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