When it comes to injuries, there could be more bad news for the Florida Panthers.
Jonathan Huberdeau left Saturday’s exhibition game against the New Jersey Devils with an apparent injury.
Replays showed the skate of Sergey Kalinin dropping down onto the back of Huberdeau’s leg as the two players were tangled up along the boards.
So far, there has been no official word on the extent of Huberdeau’s injury.
A severed Achilles tendon can be a 6+ month recovery but partial tears can be much less, as in 4 to 8 wks or 8 to 12 wks. Wait-and-see time.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) October 9, 2016
Huberdeau, 23, had 20 goals and 59 points in 76 games last season, as part of an up-and-coming Panthers team that has potential for even bigger things this season.
The Panthers signed Huberdeau to a six-year contract extension in September.
“Jonathan is a highly talented and dynamic player who is another important piece of our team’s young core,” said Panthers president of hockey operations Dale Tallon in a statement when the new deal was made official.
“In each of his last two seasons he has posted over 50 points and has developed into a key component of our team’s offense.”
The Panthers will enter this season with increased expectations, particularly after making the playoffs last season and making a number of big moves, including signing their young core players to contract extensions, this summer.
However, the injury bug has already hit.
Nick Bjugstad is also now out four weeks with a broken hand.