The Florida Panthers are navigating a challenging patch as they prepare for the upcoming stretch of their NHL season amid significant injuries to key players.
During a press conference before their flight to Columbus for a game against the Blue Jackets, head coach Paul Maurice provided updates on three of the Panthers' critical players. The most pressing issue revolves around defenseman Dmitry Kulikov, who suffered an upper-body injury after colliding with teammate Anthony Duclair during a game. This unfortunate incident occurred on March 16, and as a result, Kulikov will be sidelined for the next few weeks. Maurice expressed optimism, however, stating, “We’ll list him as week-to-week, upper-body. We expect him to play before the end of the regular season.” His anticipated return is timely, considering the approaching Stanley Cup playoffs.
Another player still in recovery is Brad Marchand, who was traded from the Boston Bruins to the Panthers before the trade deadline on March 7. Despite his eagerness to contribute, Marchand is expected to remain out of action for 3-4 weeks due to injury. This timeline would set his return date as April 8, coinciding with a crucial matchup against the Toronto Maple Leafs, following a challenging four-game Canadian road trip. Maurice confirmed that Marchand's situation has not changed, indicating that fans will have to wait a bit longer to see him in action.
In addition to Kulikov and Marchand, star forward Matthew Tkachuk is also unavailable, remaining out until at least the start of the playoffs. Tkachuk is on long-term injured reserve and cannot play again in the regular season unless another player is assigned to injured reserve. Meanwhile, Sam Bennett sat out the practice on March 19 but assured fans he will play in Columbus on March 20. Maurice commented on Bennett, stating, “They are all right where they’re supposed to be. They’re trending to the original idea.”
The Panthers recently made a move to fill Kulikov's role on the blue line, bringing up Toby Bjornfot to replace him alongside Niko Mikkola. Maurice praised Bjornfot, saying, “It’s nice to bring up a guy whom everybody knows. His games for us have been very good. He is a guy who falls into the category of when you send him down, you feel bad because he hasn’t done anything on the ice.” Bjornfot’s transition to the lineup is expected to be seamless due to his familiarity with the team and their system.
As the injury updates unfold, the Panthers are gearing up for an important matchup against the Columbus Blue Jackets on March 20, where they hope to extend their lead in the series after already beating Columbus twice this season - 3-0 on March 3 and 4-3 on October 15, 2024.
Meanwhile, Gustav Forsling, a defenseman for the Panthers, noted how Marchand has been settling in with the team. “It was a little weird early on, to be honest, just seeing him in Panther gear and everything. But, we had some battles throughout the years, but he’s super nice, to be honest.” Forsling elaborated on Marchand's capabilities, emphasizing his on-ice skills: “He’s fitting in perfectly... super skilled, obviously, and can make some plays and score some big goals for us.”
As fans eagerly await the return of both Marchand and Tkachuk, hopes are high that their presence in the lineup will be a game-changer for the Panthers in the playoffs. Forsling expressed excitement about the potential of having Marchand alongside Bennett, predicting, “I wouldn’t want to play those guys.” Such a line-up could create fear for opposing teams, with Tobin from WQAM even suggesting they could become “the most hated line in hockey.”
With a busy schedule ahead and significant player adjustments, the Florida Panthers are poised to face the challenges of the NHL season head-on. The action steps into high gear as they prepare to take on the Columbus Blue Jackets tonight at 7 p.m. followed by a matchup against the Washington Capitals on March 22.
As the playoffs approach, every game becomes increasingly crucial. The time to gel as a team is now, and the Panthers are optimistic that despite their injuries, they can continue to build momentum and solidify their position within the league.
