"Panthers general manager Jacques Martin said Tuesday afternoon that he doesn't expect suspended winger Chad Kilger to play for Florida this season.

The Panthers acquired Kilger, 32, for a third-round pick at the trade deadline in February.

Despite that Kilger's Toronto Maple Leafs were staying in Fort Lauderdale at the time, Kilger never reported to the Panthers.

Initially, Florida allowed him to return to Canada because of family issues; Kilger was later suspended from the team without pay after failing to join the team.

Kilger is scheduled to make $700,000 this season, but since he is suspended, Florida will not be required to pay Kilger unless he changes his mind and reports to camp.

The fourth overall pick in the 1995 draft by Anaheim, Kilger has played in 12 NHL seasons with six teams (not counting the Panthers). He has 107 goals and 111 assists in 714 NHL games.

''He's still dealing with some personal issues, and at this point, I don't think he'll be playing,'' Martin said. ``We still hold his rights. He's indicated to me that if he were to play, he'd want to play for us. We're not the issue.''

Kilger, who scored 10 goals in 53 games with the Maple Leafs last season, took a personal leave from Toronto, missing six games from Jan. 31 to Feb. 13.

He returned Feb. 14 and played in six games (goal, two assists) before being traded to the Panthers.

The Panthers assumed Kilger had his personal affairs in order, but apparently that wasn't the case.

The Panthers hoped Kilger would add scoring to the lineup in what turned into a failed chase for a playoff spot."