The Florida Panthers called up forward from the AHL’s Charlotte Checkers on Friday, according to Colby Guy of *The Palm Beach Post*. The 24-year-old has yet to make his NHL debut, but this latest call-up could present an opportunity, particularly if Panthers’ captain Aleksander Barkov is unable to play due to a lower-body injury. Barkov sustained the injury during Florida’s 3-1 loss to the Ottawa Senators on Thursday, and his availability for Saturday’s game against the Buffalo Sabres is uncertain.
Giles has been a solid performer at the AHL level, contributing 10 goals and 23 points in 66 regular-season games with Charlotte during the 2023-24 campaign. Along with his offensive production, Giles also accumulated 31 penalty minutes, showing a bit of physicality to his game.
His all-around play in the AHL earned him this call-up, and the Panthers could insert him into the lineup to add depth in the event that Barkov or another player is unable to go.
While Giles has not yet played in the NHL, his development in the minors has been steady. The forward has shown the ability to score and contribute on both ends of the ice, though how his game will translate to the NHL level remains to be seen. If Barkov is sidelined for Saturday’s contest, it would create an opening for Giles to potentially make his debut in a key matchup against Buffalo.
For Florida, dealing with injuries has become part of the early season storyline. The possible absence of Barkov would leave a significant hole in their lineup, as the captain is one of the team’s top players. Having a prospect like Giles available could help the team maintain depth, especially as they navigate the challenges of the NHL schedule.
It remains to be seen whether Giles will get the chance to step onto NHL ice this weekend, but his call-up indicates that the Panthers are keeping their options open as they face an uncertain roster situation ahead of Saturday’s game.
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