Panthers Announce Brad Marchand News Before Wild Game

Rich Storry-Imagn Images

Panthers Announce Brad Marchand News Before Wild Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Oct 10, 2026 11:30 AM ET

The Florida Panthers have provided their first official timeline for Brad Marchand’s injury, and it is a bit longer than previous reports indicated.

Panthers head coach Paul Maurice confirmed Friday that Marchand is expected to miss at least six weeks with the lower-body injury he suffered Tuesday against the Los Angeles Kings. The Panthers hope the veteran forward can resume skating in approximately three weeks.

“Three weeks, he will be back on the ice, another three to rehab,” Maurice said.

The update, however, comes one day after The Associated Press reported that Marchand would be sidelined for only “a few weeks,” hinting at a shorter absence. AP’s Tim Reynolds cited a person with knowledge of the situation who spoke on condition of anonymity because the team had not released details of the injury yet.

Brad Marchand will be out six weeks, Paul Maurice announced.

Maurice added that Marchand is expected to resume skating in three weeks. pic.twitter.com/VjbIOTTIzm
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) October 9, 2026

TSN’s Pierre LeBrun had also reported that early indications pointed to “weeks, not months.”

Florida’s official timeline sets a longer absence for the winger, although Marchand is still expected to return this season.

“When they go down and you see that, you’re worried,” Maurice said. “We went through it last year, so that’s the first thing that flashes [through your mind].”

Marchand was injured late in Florida’s 2-1 win over Los Angeles when Kings defenseman Brandt Clarke caught him in the face with his stick, causing Marchand to twist into the goalpost as his left leg bent awkwardly.

Florida Panthers left wing Brad Marchand (63) gets set during a face-off.Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

Marchand had only recently returned after missing Florida’s first two games while recovering from offseason surgery. He also missed 30 games during the 2025-26 season.

The Panthers were already without captain Aleksander Barkov, who is expected to miss six to eight weeks with a lower-body injury.

Florida hosts the Minnesota Wild on Saturday at 6 p.m. ET at Amerant Bank Arena.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: