FORT LAUDERDALE — Florida Panthers forward Brad Marchand is expected to return “early in the season” after undergoing offseason surgery, president of hockey operations and general manager Bill Zito announced at the team’s Media Day.
“We’re going to be very conservative in bringing him back,” Zito said during his press conference. “It’s not really a worry or a concern for me.”
Marchand, 38, last suited up for the Panthers on March 6 and was limited to 52 games last season with an undisclosed injury. In August, the veteran winger announced on Instagram that he would need surgery to address the lingering issue. He is entering the second year of a six-year deal.
“Unfortunately, I had to have a surgery,” Marchand said. “I was trying to fix a problem without surgery, but unfortunately that was unable to happen and had to kind of do it last minute.”
When healthy last season, Marchand was playing at an elite level for an injury-plagued Panthers squad that missed the playoffs after winning back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2024 and 2025. He posted 54 points in 52 games, ranking second on the team in both goals (27) and assists (27) at the time of his last game.
Preparing for his 18th NHL season, Marchand has recorded 1,034 points — 451 goals and 583 assists — in 1,152 career regular-season games. The two-time Stanley Cup champion has also tallied 158 points, including 66 goals and 92 assists, in 180 career postseason games.
Panthers head coach Paul Maurice said he should be able to provide a clearer timeline for Marchand’s recovery on Thursday, after medicals conducted during Media Day. Training camp is underway in Fort Lauderdale.