Panthers' Steve Kampfer: Fully recovered from knee surgery

Kampfer said he is pain-free following knee surgery, the Miami Herald reports.

Analysis:

"From (last) December on, I had been playing in pain,'' Kampfer said. "When I had the surgery, I got out of bed and wasn't in pain anymore. That was a breath of fresh air. Now I know everything is good. I have no lingering affects.'' With that obstacle behind him, the blueliner can focus on nailing down a roster spot, but the competition figures to be stiff with Keith Yandle, Mark Pysyk, Jason Demers acquired in the offseason. Kampfer's only appeared in 133 NHL games over four years, with just 23 points to show, so he'll be safe to pass over even if he does end up cracking the opening night roster.