Panthers get worrisome Brad Marchand injury news after Olympics originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Brad Marchand had a really weird Olympics for Team Canada.
And now, as he returns to the Florida Panthers, there will be some question marks about an injury.
Marchand missed multiple games in Milan as a scratch, believed to be healthy but potentially hiding some kind of ailment.
He was back for the medal rounds, but he wasn't effective in Canada's semifinal win over Finland or gold medal game loss to the United States.
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NHL insider Jeff Marek said Sunday that he believes Marchand was playing hurt.
In fact, he wondered if Marchand has already played his last hockey game of the season for the Panthers.
That'd be a bummer of an outcome for the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions. At the same time, maybe it's needed. They're not having the kind of season that they've come to expect out of the Panthers.
Marchand remains a quality veteran hockey player. He was acquired by Florida a year ago before the trade deadline from the Boston Bruins to help them repeat, and he did just that.
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This time around, Marchand has been a step off the pace at times.
Whether an injury or just ineffectiveness, Marchand has simply not been quite good enough of late.
It may not be an injury, but if it is, don't expect the Panthers to mess around. It may make the most sense by far to let Marchand take his time to heal.
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