The Florida Panthers have added goaltender Louis Domingue to their roster on a two-way contract for the rest of the season, though the financial details have not been revealed. If the team decides to reassign him to their AHL affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers, they must first place him on waivers. Doing so today would allow them to exempt him from their active NHL roster count.
Domingue’s Recent Career Moves and Performance
Thirty-three-year-old Domingue began this season playing overseas for the first time in his professional career, competing in Russia’s Kontinental Hockey League with Sibir Novosibirsk. After appearing in 11 games there and recording a .892 save percentage, he secured a release to return to North America. Around Thanksgiving, he signed an AHL contract with the Charlotte Checkers.
Since joining Charlotte, Domingue’s playing time has been limited; in seven games, he has posted a save percentage of .831 with a goals-against average of 3.20, and holds a 3-3-0 record. He has spent extended periods inactive, dressing for only four games since the beginning of the year.
Current Standing in Panthers’ Goaltending Hierarchy and Team Strategy
At present, Domingue is effectively ranked fifth among the Panthers’ goaltenders. Ahead of him are NHL regulars Sergei Bobrovsky and Daniil Tarasov, along with AHL starters Cooper Black and Kirill Gerasimyuk, who both also hold NHL contracts. The signing echoes a common practice during deadline week where teams keep an additional goalie on hand for playoff emergencies, a tactic Florida has previously employed with Evan Cormier.
However, the Panthers are currently falling out of playoff contention and reportedly plan to trade some of their upcoming unrestricted free agents. Therefore, Domingue’s addition likely serves as a safeguard to maintain four contracted goaltenders if the organization opts to trade Bobrovsky or Tarasov, both set to become free agents this summer.
