Cooper Black set for NHL debut as Panthers visit Penguins

Cooper Black is projected to start and make his NHL debut for the Florida Panthers on Thursday, Oct. 22, at Pittsburgh (7 p.m. ET), according to NHL.com's projected lineups. Akira Schmid made 25 saves in a 5-1 loss at Ottawa on Wednesday, with Black as his backup.

Florida recalled Black from the Charlotte Checkers on Tuesday, Oct. 20. He spent Oct. 13-16 with Florida during his first call-up of the season.

Jacob Markstrom is expected to miss 10 to 14 days after being struck by a puck in practice Monday, coach Paul Maurice said Tuesday, according to Daily Faceoff. Maurice said Black will make his NHL debut during Florida's four-game road trip, which opened in Ottawa on Wednesday. NHL.com lists Markstrom's injury as upper-body.

Black returns with a 2-1-0 record through three AHL appearances this season. His goals-against average is 2.67 and his save percentage is .919. He stopped 33 shots in Charlotte's 4-2 victory over Hartford on Saturday, Oct. 17.

The 25-year-old joined Florida as an undrafted free agent in 2024. He signed a two-year, two-way extension on June 8, 2026, according to the Panthers.

Last season, Black posted a 25-13-4 record for Charlotte, with a 2.47 goals-against average and a .903 save percentage across 42 games.

The Panthers are 5-3-2.