The Florida Panthers are going to be without star forward Nick Bjugstad indefinitely, according coach Gerard Gallant.
Bjugstad has missed the last five games for the Cats and will not join the team on Thursday against the Washington Capitals or on Saturday as they head to Boston. Their meeting with the Bruins is the start of a four-game road trip and Bjugstad is hoping that he can rejoin the team before the end of the trip, according to the Miami Herald’s George Richards.
Gallant didn’t share much information, saying “It’s not short-term… he won’t be coming on the trip at first. I mean, I am hoping. But they haven’t told me a whole lot.”
Bjugstad has what they’re calling an upper-body injury. He left the ice during practice last Monday in St. Louis and flew back to Florida to be evaluated.
Richards says, despite speculation, Bjugstad is not believed to have suffered a concussion.
The Panthers are 5-4-1 in their last 10 and are just one point out of a wild card spot.
Bjugstad has seven goals and five assists through 23 games this season. He’s coming off a career-year where he put up a personal best 24 goals in 72 games, before being taken out of the lineup due to a back injury that required surgery.
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