Huberdeau and Barkov may both miss rest of season...

[BreadManPanarin]

Per coach Tom Rowe, NHL.com reports... Headline: Panthers top forwards could miss rest of season



The actual quote from Rowe doesn't sound as bad as the headline sounds... "Those are two franchise-type players and we're certainly not going to rush them back. They'll be back in the lineup when everybody feels they're ready to play. Yeah, you're always concerned about it [being season ending], but we're not consumed with it every day."

[Doug Glatt]

Barkov was supposed to be out 2-3 weeks. Not cool.

This is the kind of announcement that indicates the Panthers will go into full-scale tank mode.

- - - Updated - - -

Barkov was supposed to be out 2-3 weeks. Not cool.

This is the kind of announcement that indicates the Panthers will go into full-scale tank mode.

[Eskimo Brother]

Barkov is unfortunate to hear about. Hopefully this is just them being over-cautious.
Hubs is a different story. Still no real updates on him, which we might have expected by now. Sounds like it could be longer than initially expected, but still hopefully he can get back to full strength in time to be relevant.

- - - Updated - - -

Barkov is unfortunate to hear about. Hopefully this is just them being over-cautious.
Hubs is a different story. Still no real updates on him, which we might have expected by now. Sounds like it could be longer than initially expected, but still hopefully he can get back to full strength in time to be relevant.

[lektrix]

Hope they can just figure this sh* out so we can drop their asses!!!!!!

[Pengwin7]

Pretty smart move by the Panthers. (who I still feel have/are passively tanking their books for huge annual county subsidies. Operating Income last 3 years: -$15.4m, -$20.2m, -$15.6m)
With the NHL so competitive, especially the East, if they just keep those guys out of the line-up, they've still got a great chance to finish last in the East... with as much as 75-80pts.
[I think that would be the highest "Last Place" conference point total in NHL history]

Another 4th-6th overall NHL draftee in that Panther line-up.
Might almost offset the cap overpayment to Ekblad!

Of Note: The Panthers actually passed Carolina this past year to become the 29th most valued NHL franchise!
http://www.forbes.com/teams/florida-panthers/

[2014olympicgold]

@Pengwin
When North East Division was a thing, the last in the East was:
Leafs 74pts in 2009-10 season
Montreal 78pts in 2011-12

Leafs did this last yr, guys who need to heal up fully (JvR, Bozak) were told to get 100% healthy, not just healthy enough to play. If the players get put on IR, insurance pays their salary too, so it helps out a poor Florida Ownership.

[StuntMan12]

Not surprised about HUBS. Barkov is ALWAYS hurt dam.

[iwinthings]

this is clearly a ploy to move the team to another city. part of their sinister 7 year plan to undermine fan faith and eventually be the quebec city pumas

[blayze]

Looks like they're tanking for sure and now they're publicly setting the tone and expectations.

Probably the smart move considering they weren't making the playoffs anyway.

- - - Updated - - -

Looks like they're tanking for sure and now they're publicly setting the tone and expectations.

Probably the smart move considering they weren't making the playoffs anyway.

[Doug Glatt]

Both Huberdeau and Barkov took part in Monday's practice. Both were in non-contact jerseys. Speculation is that they are 1-2 weeks away from a return to action. Huberdeau was supposed to be out until March, so not sure if this new timetable is realistic.

Barkov: "I feel better every day...I hope to play soon."
Huberdeau: "I feel like I'm pretty close."

https://twitter.com/JamesonCoop

[CascadeFilly]

Wow, that is a turnaround! Good for them. They both need this development time.

[Doug Glatt]

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/f...201-story.html

No-contact jerseys off. Barkov back perhaps by next Thursday, after the bye, 1/9. Huberdeau still not expected back until March according to article.

[lucafen4]

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/f...201-story.html

Barkov back perhaps by next Thursday, after the bye, 1/9. Huberdeau still not expected back until March according to article.

- - - Updated - - -

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/f...201-story.html

Barkov back perhaps by next Thursday, after the bye, 1/9. Huberdeau still not expected back until March according to article.

Glad I got Bark & not Hubs...

[RizzeeDizzee]

After Friday's game Florida doesn't play again until Thursday, so we should know more once that's lull is over. Well timed break for both, but especially Barkov.

[donzzy]

Both Barkov and hubs have been cleared to return to lineup.....expected back possibly as soon as tonight.... reported by Sportsnet.....good news