Photo credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Brad Marchand left the Florida Panthers game hurt again, and his Team Canada Olympics picture suddenly feels fragile.
Marchand just clawed his way back into the lineup after a lower-body injury, so seeing him disappear in the third period hit like a bad rerun.
Florida’s night already had that messy vibe, trading goals and chasing the game in St. Louis.
Then Marchand did not come out for the third period at all.
Head coach Paul Maurice had no real update afterward, only that Marchand would be evaluated.
That “we will see” language always raises alarms, especially for a player who has already been managing something.
The timing stings because Marchand’s return was loud. He missed seven straight games, came back in Minnesota, and scored twice, including the overtime winner.
Now the Panthers are forced back into guesswork, with another key forward possibly headed to the trainer’s room instead of the top six.
Brad Marchand may miss Olympics due to his injury
Marchand has produced all season, sitting at 25-25-50, and Florida leans on his edge when games get chaotic.
The Panthers also need every point they can grab, and they are now 28-22-3 after a brutal 5-4 loss that ended with nine seconds left.
The bigger fear is what comes next, not just for Florida’s lineup, but for Marchand’s winter.
NHL players are officially back on the Olympic stage at Milano Cortina 2026, the first time since 2014.
That’s why the follow-up chatter got loud fast, with one report suggesting this could jeopardize his Team Canada shot.
Marchand has been through a lot, but chances like this do not wait forever, and uncertainty is the worst part.
Friday’s evaluations will tell the real story, and Panthers fans will be holding their breath until Maurice finally gives a straight answer.
Previously on Boston Hockey Insider
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