Panthers’ Jacob Markstrom Out With Injury

A week after suffering a lower-body injury, Florida Panthers netminder Jacob Markström will head back to the press box with a new injury. According to head coach Paul Maurice (per Florida Hockey Now’s George Richards), Markström is expected to miss the next 10 to 14 days after being injured in practice.

Specifically, Markström’s injury is related to being struck by a puck in practice. Obviously, this is a reasonable risk for a netminder, though something clearly went wrong. According to the AHL transactions log, the Panthers have recalled Cooper Black to serve as Akira Schmid’s backup for the foreseeable future.

The Panthers acquired Markström from the New Jersey Devils this past summer for his second stint with the club. He is in the first season of a two-year, $12MM ($6MM AAV) extension signed around this time last season.

Unfortunately, the reunion hasn’t begun on a positive note. Markström’s performance has been fine, but the Panthers were likely hoping for a cleaner bill of health from their new starting netminder. Two injuries in the first month of the season aren’t ideal.

When healthy, Markström has made six starts for Florida. He owns a 3-1-1 record in those starts with an .897 SV% and 2.21 GAA. According to MoneyPuck, of the netminders who have made five or more starts this season, Markström ranks in the middle of the pack with a 0.257 Goals Saved Above Expected per 60 (17th).