NHL cancels Panthers appearance as weather update is disaster for team flight

All flight out of Fort Lauderdale were grounded due to a monsoon, but that time has come and gone and the Panthers flight is still being delayed. At this point, it's looking likely that the Panthers will arrive in Edmonton very late tonight. The NHL has now officially cancelled the Panthers' press availabilities for today, indicating it will be far too late before they arrive.

EDIT: Now moments ago, the Panthers flight has departed from Fort Lauderdale. They will not arrive in Edmonton until very late tonight.

As hockey players are often creatures, this delay could be seriously costly for the Panthers just sitting in the airport for hours on end.

Reportedly, the NHL actually wanted the Panthers to fly out yesterday, when the Edmonton Oilers returned home. Instead the Panthers pushed for one more home ice practice, and they may pay for it with this extreme disruption.

If the Panthers aren't able to arrive in Edmonton tonight, it'll be an extremely rushed morning and travel day tomorrow for a team supposed to be preparing for one of the biggest games of their lives. Hopefully for the Oilers, this flight provides some disruption to the Panthers, and the Oilers can finally get a jump on them offensively when they do arrive to play in Edmonton.

Source: Chris Johnston