Looks like the Florida Panthers dodged a bullet regarding the health of the NHL’s oldest player.
Jaromir Jagr, who was knocked out of Tuesday’s 4-1 win over Colorado, is only day-to-day with a lower-body injury and could return for Friday’s tilt against Boston, head coach Gerard Gallant confirmed.
Jagr, who leads the Panthers in goals (six) and points (10), played just 2:30 last night before exiting. Jussi Jokinen replaced him on the club’s top line next to Jonathan Huberdeau and Nick Bjugstad, the latter having replaced Aleksander Barkov (broken hand) as the club’s No. 1 center.
Given that Barkov will be sidelined for a while, Florida has to be relieved that Jagr could return quickly.
The original top unit -- Huberdeau, Barkov and Jagr -- combined for 20 points over the first eight games of the season, and is a big reason why Florida’s off to a 5-3-1 start.