DENVER -- As the Panthers were packing up their gear inside the visitors’ locker room at Pepsi Center, one equipment manager was heard singing Sweet Home Chicago.

For a number of the Panthers, South Florida is home now, but Chicago still holds a dear place in their heart.

Five players who were part of the Blackhawks’ 2010 Stanley Cup championship team now play for the Panthers, and some will be returning to Chicago for the first time since leaving the Hawks when the two meet Friday night at United Center.

Brian Campbell and Tomas Kopecky left Chicago over the summer; Kris Versteeg was traded to Toronto after the championship run and hasn’t been back. Jack Skille played there as a member of the Panthers last season, and John Madden played two games in Chicago with the Wild.

“It’s more than just another game. That place was close to me and a lot of players in this room,’’ said Versteeg, who has the date Chicago won the Cup tattooed on the inside of his right bicep. “It’s something I’ve been looking forward to. I want to see the banner, one a lot of us didn’t get to see get raised. I still haven’t seen it. Hopefully we have a big game as well. There’s no bitterness. It was business. I’m happy where I’m at.’’

The Panthers flew to Chicago on Thursday afternoon and some of the Florida Blackhawks had plans. Campbell needs to check up on his house in Lincoln Park, and Kopecky had dinner plans. Versteeg said he wasn’t going to do much, not with the Panthers playing back-to-back games in Chicago and Winnipeg.

After dropping seven consecutive road games, the Panthers are starting to feel a little desperate. Nostalgia and visits are fun, but the Panthers need a win.

“It’ll be nice to be back in the city, check up on everything,’’ Campbell said. “It’s always fun playing in that barn. But we need to put some wins together.’’

Chicago won in a shootout in the previous meeting on Nov. 3 at BankAtlantic Center.

“It’s special to play against your old teammates but that’s it,’’ Kopecky said. “We gave them two points the last time, and we need to come out of that building with two points.’’

Skille, who hasn’t played since injuring his shoulder Dec. 16, looks to make his return Friday against the Blackhawks. Traded for Michael Frolik last February, Skille was on a line with Shawn Matthias and Scottie Upshall during Thursday’s practice.

“The shoulder feels strong and they’ve made sure I didn’t rush anything,’’ Skille said. “I think it’s able to go with my style of play. That was the big concern.’’

Michal Repik, who has been playing the best hockey of his Panthers career, was put on waivers and will be sent to San Antonio if he clears Friday at noon.

Speaking of being at home, goalie Jose Theodore was joking with a reporter from the Denver Post on Thursday when he declared “Florida is my last stop.’’

Theodore, who has played for the Canadiens, Avs, Capitals and Wild, made it clear he isn’t thinking about retirement. “I didn’t say this would be my last contract,’’ he said. Theodore is signed through next season. Theodore made 40 saves in Wednesday’s loss.

Late Wednesday

•  Avalanche 4, Panthers 3 (OT): The host Avalanche got two goals from Peter Mueller as well as a game-tying goal from Paul Stastny with 3:17 left before handing the Panthers their league-leading 10th overtime loss. The Avs, who trailed 3-1 in the third, won it on a goal by Ryan O’Reilly.

The Panthers have lost in a row away from home (0-3-4) and nine of the past 12 overall. Florida is 3-10 in overtime/shootouts this season.

Stephen Weiss had gone 15 consecutive games without scoring before giving the Panthers a 2-1 lead late in the second.

Weiss , was playing in his 600th NHL game. He

is now 13 games away from tying former teammate Radek Dvorak for the top spot in games played in franchise history.