YANDLE'S IRONMAN STREAK WILL REMAIN INTACT

After a long week filled with doubt over his future with the Panthers organization, it appears that Keith Yandle will be in Florida's lineup for their season opener on Sunday night against Chicago, according to Frank Seravalli of TSN. Barring any last minute change to the lineup, Yandle will skate in his 867th consecutive game, sitting second all time only behind Doug Jarvis who played 964 consecutive games.

According to Andy Strickland of Fox Sports Midwest, Panthers GM Bill Zito essentially tried to push Yandle out of Florida by trying to get him to waive his no-trade clause, and force him out of their lineup. Well, as of Sunday morning that didn't work as Yandle and his Ironman streak will keep going.

Yandle, 34, was drafted in the fourth round, 105th overall by the Phoenix (Arizona) Coyotes in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. In 976 regular season games, he's tallied 573 points (99 G, 474 A), 564 penalty minutes, and is a -48. In 55 career playoff games, he's recorded 34 points (6 G, 28 A), 26 penalty minutes, and is a +/-0.

Internationally, Yandle has represented the United States on one occasion, at the 2010 IIHF World Hockey Championships. In 6 games, he put up 4 points (1 G, 3 A), 0 penalty minutes, and was a -1 as the United States finished 13th, avoiding relegation by defeating Kazakhstan, France, and Italy.

Keith Yandle expected to be in #FlaPanthers lineup for season debut tonight.— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) January 17, 2021

So basically Bill Zito tried to push Keith Yandle out of Florida by making it look like he wouldn't be in lineup and get the player to waive his no-move. Didn't work, and now the player will be in lineup to open the season. #FlaPanthers— Andy Strickland (@andystrickland) January 17, 2021