Panthers Reveal Timeline Update for Brad Marchand
Brad Marchand has been a Florida Panther for almost three weeks though he has yet to play for them.
The former Boston Bruins captain has been out to an upper-body injury since March 4. Regardless of his health condition, Bruins general manager couldn't come to an agreement with Marchand on an extension and elected to send him to a division rival for a conditional 2027 second-round pick.
Panthers head coach Paul Maurice offered an update that he is targeting a Friday return against the Utah Hockey Club for the veteran winger.
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"He has been on the ice for a little bit now," Maurice said. "That's probably the advantage to four days [off] in that we don't lose another game. We'll get him through a full practice [Thursday] and make an assessment. But we are shooting for Friday against Utah right now."
In the meantime, Marchand skated with Tomas Nosek and Mackie Samoskevich on the Panthers' second line during Wednesday's practice.
Maurice emphasized there is no rush to activate Marchand just because he began skating again.
"We're not jamming these guys back on their first available day," he said. "We're not bringing them in early. If he says he wants a few more days, we're good with that."
Florida Panthers left wing Brad Marchand (63) in action with the Boston Bruins at the American Airlines Center.Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
The Panthers are also without star forward Matthew Tkachuk while they sit tied with the Toronto Maple Leafs for first place in the Atlantic Division.
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When Marchand does return, Maurice explained that he will slide neatly into Tkachuk's role while the team awaits both to be available.
"With Matthew out of our lineup, there's a place for [Marchand], for sure," Maurice said. "That's just comfort level. Of all the games he has played with our guys, the most have been with Sam Bennett (internationally for Canada). He has some conversation there. That's the idea of putting him there."
In 61 games this year, Marchand has notched 21 goals and 47 points.
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