The Florida Panthers started off the year without having Sam Bennett, and they are bracing to be without the need of him when yet again.
How very long this absence will be is still unclear.
Panthers coach Paul Maurice explained to reporters soon after the workforce practiced in Detroit on Wednesday that the reigning Japanese Convention champions aren’t guaranteed on the prognosis for Bennett, Florida’s fourth-top scorer in previous season’s playoffs. Bennett skipped the initially 7 video games of this year with a reduce-body injury, returned for about 8 minutes of ice time in Monday’s 3-2 reduction at Boston, and bought harm yet again right after Bruins defenseman Hampus Lindholm fell on him in entrance of the net.
Bennett wanted to be helped off the ice, not able to put any pounds on his left leg.
“He’s not day-to-day. He’s going to be a little longer,” Maurice stated. “We really don’t assume it’s as substantial as the 1st 1. Have to see how he feels. What comes about in the to start with three times will convey to us how long it’s likely to be.”
Florida performs at Detroit on Thursday and visits Chicago on Saturday to stop a 3-activity road trip. The Panthers have dealt with injuries all over this youthful season, with defensemen Aaron Ekblad and Brandon Montour nonetheless predicted to be weeks absent from earning their 2023-2024 debuts. Both of those adult males wanted shoulder surgical treatment after previous season’s Stanley Cup Final.
Thursday will be a milestone match for Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov — who will enjoy in his 672nd common-season contest for Florida and split a tie with Jonathan Huberdeau for the most in team historical past.
Barkov is now the club’s all-time leader in plans (245) and points (639). Maurice was asked Wednesday what about Barkov is most outstanding.
“That it is each day, that he performs tricky every single solitary working day, normally takes treatment of his physique, trains tough to be the finest he maybe can,” Maurice said. “He’s an very reliable professional. … He does not complain ever about something. He enjoys enjoying in Florida, loves the followers, loves the location. We’re just quite lucky.”
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