Florida Panthers head coach Paul Maurice said Aleksander Barkov and Brad Marchand have resumed skating and remain on schedule in their recoveries. Maurice also said goaltender Jacob Markstrom is not far from returning after being hit by a puck in practice. The updates came Thursday as Florida prepared to open a three-game homestand against the Winnipeg Jets.
“They are on schedule, and that’s a positive,” Maurice said of Barkov and Marchand. “Both felt good. I think it’s four weeks [until a return] for Sasha, probably three weeks for Brad from the day of his injury. I think we’re still on that kind of 6-8 [week] concept, but we’re happy with where they’re at in that timeline.”
Barkov continues recovery
Barkov suffered a lower-body injury against the San Jose Sharks on Oct. 1 after missing all of the previous season with a leg injury. He did not require surgery. Barkov is the Panthers’ franchise leader with 286 goals, 496 assists and 782 points.
Marchand sustained a lower-body injury against the Los Angeles Kings on Oct. 6 after falling awkwardly into the post following a high stick. He scored in his season debut against the Anaheim Ducks. Marchand recorded 54 points, including 27 goals and 27 assists, in 52 games last season.
Sam Bennett said Barkov and Marchand remain important leaders for Florida. “It’s awesome,” Bennett said of the forwards moving closer to a return. “Those are two massive pieces to this team, and obviously we feel it when they’re not in the lineup. Just hoping that they can get in the lineup sooner rather than later.”
Markstrom nearing return
Markstrom left practice after being hit by a puck before the Panthers’ most recent road trip. Maurice said the expected recovery timeline was 10-14 days, with Florida optimistic that it would be closer to 10 days. He added that Markstrom’s return will depend on how he feels on the ice.
Markstrom has a 3-1-1 record, a 2.21 goals-against average, a .897 save percentage and one shutout in six games this season. Akira Schmid has filled in while Markstrom has been unavailable. Schmid has a 2-1-0 record, a 1.50 goals-against average and a .935 save percentage in his last two starts.
Florida was 7-4-2 and had won two consecutive games at the end of its road trip. The Panthers were scheduled to begin a three-game homestand against the Winnipeg Jets on Friday at 7 p.m. ET. The recovery updates give Florida projected return windows for two forwards and its goaltender as the homestand begins.
FSB Take
Florida has managed a 7-4-2 start and two straight wins to close its road trip while Barkov, Marchand and Markstrom remain unavailable. Schmid’s recent results have helped cover for Markstrom, while the two forwards continue working toward their returns. The Panthers now enter the homestand with clearer expectations about when three significant lineup pieces could rejoin the team.
Source: Original report