Dave Bolland‘s tenure in Florida has taken another hit.
The Panthers centre was sent down to their AHL club, the Portland Pirates, Tuesday on a conditioning assignment.
The 29-year-old Bolland is under-producing in the second year of a five-year contract that pays him $5.5 million annually.
He has scored one goal and recorded four assists in 25 games this season with Florida and has been an expensive healthy scratch.
“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,” said general manager Dale Tallon.
Forward Rocco Grimaldi, 22, has been recalled from Portland to take Bolland’s spot. Grimaldi has recorded two goals in 17 career NHL games with the Panthers.
With the Panthers struggling to tally goals, Tallon said last week that he is willing to trade young assets if it helps him land a scorer before February’s deadline.