FORT LAUDERDALE - Florida Panthers starting goalie Jacob Markstrom is out 10-14 days with an upper-body injury sustained at Monday’s practice, placing the defending champions in a position to debut an undrafted goalie who was playing in the ECHL just one season ago.
The Panthers placed Markstrom, 36, on Injured Reserve, meaning he will miss at least the next seven days. Coach Paul Maurice told reporters the injury appears to be to Markstrom’s shoulder, sustained when he took a hard shot during practice, Florida Hockey Now reported.
Akira Schmid is expected to start Wednesday’s road game against the Ottawa Senators at Canada Tire Center at 7:30 p.m. But Maurice indicated that Cooper Black - a 25-year-old undrafted free agent the Panthers signed out of Dartmouth - will likely make his NHL debut Thursday in Pittsburgh against the Penguins.
“He’s going to see some action,” Maurice said. “He played a full exhibition game, and this is the progression of how these guys serve in the league, get some games. He’s been good. He’s been good in practice, looks like he fits. He looks comfortable. It’s the right time for him to get in. He’s got enough under his belt to feel good.”
Black attended Florida’s development camp in 2023 before signing with the organization the following year. In his first pro season, he split time between the AHL’s Charlotte Checkers and the ECHL’s Ghost Pirates before being thrust into Charlotte’s starting role after Brandon Bussi was claimed off waivers by the Hurricanes at the end of training camp. Black went 25-13-4 with Charlotte last season and led the Checkers to the playoffs. He is 2-1 this season.
This is the second injury scare for Markstrom in less than two weeks. He left Florida’s Oct. 12 road loss to the Buffalo Sabres - a 5-3 defeat - with lower-body tightening before returning Saturday to make 20 saves in an 8-3 win over the Seattle Kraken. Schmid stepped in during the Buffalo game and also started the subsequent contests in Columbus and against Vancouver.
The Panthers hold a 3-1 record against Ottawa from last season’s matchup. All-time in the regular season, Ottawa leads the series 60-51-6 with three ties. Florida’s next scheduled home games against the Senators are Nov. 25 and Jan. 18.