SUNRISE - Florida Panthers veteran forward Brad Marchand is on the verge of returning to the lineup ahead of the team’s original October timeline, coach Paul Maurice said Saturday after Marchand practiced again with the club.
Maurice, speaking after the session, said Marchand is “real close to coming back” and that medical clearance appears imminent. “The doctors have to sign off on it,” Maurice said. “The trainers have to sign off, and then [Marchand] has to. I think they’re all close to signing off.”
Because Marchand was never placed on long-term injured reserve, he can be inserted into the lineup immediately once cleared. Maurice acknowledged the only remaining logistical question is his own. “Then, the coach has to find a way to squeeze him back into the lineup,” he said.
That path appears straightforward. Rookie Sandis Vilmanis has filled Marchand’s spot on the third line alongside Anton Lundell and Eetu Luostarinen. Florida Hockey Now reported that Marchand could slide back into that role with Vilmanis shifting to the fourth line.
Marchand had surgery in August to address a recurring injury that had plagued him for several years, including hip and sports hernia surgeries during his time with the Boston Bruins. He aggravated the injury in December, with the Panthers managing it from January until he was shut down for good at the NHL Trade Deadline. Despite hoping to avoid surgery, Marchand opted for the procedure before the new season began and was skating during the team’s informal skates shortly afterward.
On the first day of training camp, Maurice had said Marchand would miss the entire month of October, though he left open the possibility of an earlier return - a caveat that now appears prescient.
The Panthers face the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday at Honda Center at 8 p.m., a rematch of a game Anaheim won 2-0 last season. Florida leads the all-time regular season series 23-17-2 with 3 ties. The Panthers’ next home game against Anaheim is scheduled for Feb. 20. Following Sunday’s contest, Florida travels to face the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday at 10 p.m. on ESPN.