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The Florida Panthers placed right wing Valeri Bure on injured reserve Tuesday and signed former first-round pick Petr Taticek to a three-year contract.
Bure's move is retroactive to Thursday, the night he aggravated a pulled groin. The 29-year-old Russian was injured in the first period but stayed in the game and set up Kristian Huselius' game-winning goal in a season-opening 3-1 victory over Carolina.
Claimed off waivers
from St. Louis at the end of June, Bure is in his second stint with Florida.
But he has missed 76 of 154 games since he was acquired from Calgary in June
2001. NFL Tickets
Taticek, a 20-year-old Czech, was selected ninth overall in 2002. He spent training
camp with Florida but was assigned to San Antonio of the American Hockey League
on September 21. Last season, he collected 12 goals and 45 assists in 54 games
with Sault Ste. Marie of the Ontario junior league.
"We are very happy to have Petr under contract," Panthers general manager Rick Dudley said. "After selecting him ninth overall and considering his potential free agent status, it was very important to get him signed and in the fold with the Panthers." NFL Tickets
To fill Bure's roster spot, Florida recalled left wing Gregory Campbell from San Antonio, where the 19-year-old was scoreless in two games.
The unbeaten Panthers (1-0-2) host Phoenix on Wednesday before beginning a three-game road trip.