Dave Bolland’s nightmare campaign in Florida continues.
On Tuesday, the Panthers announced they demoted Bolland to their AHL affiliate in Portland on a conditioning assignment though, according to the Miami Herald, you might want to toss some air quotes around “conditioning.”
Hearing that the #FlaPanthers have sent C Dave Bolland to their AHL team in Portland. No waivers, going on a 'conditioning' assignment.
— George Richards (@GeorgeRichards) December 15, 2015
Jaromir Jagr officially out v #Isles ... #FlaPanthers hope demotion to minors jumpstarts Dave Bolland
— George Richards (@GeorgeRichards) December 15, 2015
Bolland, 29, has been a major disappointment this season, and that disappointment’s been exacerbated by the fact that, at $5.5 million annually, he’s Florida’s highest-paid forward.
Head coach Gerard Gallant’s made Bolland a healthy scratch on a number of occasions this season, but insisted he wasn’t trying to send the veteran center a message.
Now, it appears the organization is doing exactly that.
“We need Dave to play more minutes and regain his confidence with the offensive side of his game, so that he can help us in the second half of the season,” Florida GM Dale Tallon explained, per Sportsnet.
Since Bolland wasn’t exposed to waivers and is going to Portland on a “conditioning” stint, his max stay in the AHL is two weeks. It’s not unlike what the Leafs did recently with goalie Jonathan Bernier.
On the year, Bolland has one goal and five points in 25 games, averaging just 14:06 TOI per game -- his lowest since breaking in which Chicago as a rookie.
In a corresponding move to the Bolland demotion, the Panthers recalled Rocco Grimaldi.