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Panthers’ Gudbranson injures shoulder in training accident

Edmonton Oilers v Florida Panthers

SUNRISE, FL - MARCH 23: Erik Gudbranson #44 of the Florida Panthers skates off with the puck after Ben Eager #55 of the Edmonton Oilers falls to the ice on March 23, 2012 at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)

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This season was shaping up to be an important one for Florida’s Erik Gudbranson, but it may have to wait a while before it starts.

Harvey Fialkov of the Sun-Sentinel reports the 20 year-old defenseman was hurt in a training accident and things might be dicey. Fialkov says the injury may be serious and he required medical attention after it occurred.

In his first full season with the Panthers last year, Gudbranson scored two goals and added six assists with 78 penalty minutes in 72 games. He’s being groomed to be Florida’s physical presence on defense as well as a true defensive-defenseman.

Fortunately the Panthers have good depth on the blue line especially after adding Filip Kuba as a free agent this summer. If Gudbranson winds up missing a lot of time, a lockout could work out well to his benefit as far as getting time to recover without missing games.