Florida defensemen Nick Boynton and Keith Ballard have been a common pairing for Panthers coach Peter DeBoer during the preseason.

It makes sense that the players would spend time together on the ice. They're also helping each other adjust to life in South Florida after being acquired from Phoenix for Olli Jokinen in June.

''I think he was in a little more shock than I was because I don't know if he was expecting [it] as much as I was,'' Boynton said. ``It's a business and you can't control those kind of things. I think this will be the best thing that could have happened for him and for me.''

When the Panthers parted with Jokinen, they jettisoned the best offensive player in team history. Jokinen is the franchise's all-time leader in goals (188), assists (231) and points (419), but he never led the Panthers to the playoffs.

Boynton and Ballard are supposed to help the Panthers take that step by solidifying the defense.

With first-year coach DeBoer trying to fit his lines together, Boynton and Ballard already have chemistry built from playing together in Phoenix.

DeBoer said Ballard and Boynton also have complementary playing styles.

Whereas Boynton is a physical presence, Ballard is an offensive-minded defenseman who can move the puck and provide a threat coming forward. Ballard scored 21 points for the Coyotes last season.

''It'd be a nice pair to keep together,'' DeBoer said. ``They're familiar with each other. They complement each other. One guy's an offensive guy and one guy's a stay-at-home guy. In a perfect world it'd be nice. I don't know depending on injuries if we'll have that luxury.''

The two players are also close off the ice.

Boynton was traded from Boston to Phoenix in 2006, and learned the difficulties of trying to fit in with a new club while adjusting to a new lifestyle.

Boynton said he misses his two daughters, who live in Phoenix, but this time he has somebody to help with the adjustment phase. Ballard and Boynton go to dinner together and spend time with each other outside of the rink, and they offer a familiar face in a new locker room.

''It's good having someone else,'' Ballard said. ``Nick and I are real good friends and it's good having him on the ice, but off the ice as well. You know somebody and that time it takes you to get acclimated you're with someone that you've already known.''

ELSEWHERE

• Injuries: Karlis Skrastins didn't practice Thursday because of neck and back injuries. DeBoer said he would know more the severity of the injuries after the weekend. Stephen Weiss (groin) skated Friday but was not able to practice, and DavidBooth (groin) participated in the first half of practice after returning Thursday.

• Upcoming: Practice is at 11:30 a.m. Saturday at Incredible Ice in Coral Springs.

Join the discussion

Note: If this is your first time using our NEW commenting system, you will have to LOG OUT and then LOG BACK IN.

The Miami Herald is pleased to provide this opportunity to share information, experiences and observations about what's in the news. Some of the comments may be reprinted elsewhere in the site or in the newspaper. We encourage lively, open debate on the issues of the day, and ask that you refrain from profanity, hate speech, personal comments and remarks that are off point. In order to post comments, you must be a registered user of MiamiHerald.com. Your username will show along with the comments you post. Thank you for taking the time to offer your thoughts.

     Showing: Oldest first Newest first Most-recommended first Least-recommended first

@Nyx.AuthorDisplayName@ wrote on @Nyx.PostedAtTime@:

@Nyx.CommentBody@

@Nyx.Recommender@ @Nyx.AbuseReporter@