It would be nice to not focus on injuries for a change.
But the latest injury to Vincent Trocheck, arguably the best player on the team, is especially troublesome for a team fighting for a 2nd seed in the Eastern Conference. The currently are tied in points with Tampa and 2nd in the Atlantic Division.
In year's past this injury would be devastating to an organization lacking talented depth to absorb such a loss. But thanks to GM Dale Tallon the Panthers should be able to stay afloat until Trocheck returns.
The initial diagnosis is Trocheck will return in 10-14 days, although it could be longer. Both Derek MacKenzie and Erik Gudbranson have taken over two weeks to return from similar foot fractures resulting from blocking shots.
Regardless Trocheck is gone for the regular season.
The Panthers have shuffled the lineup quite a bit for tonight's game against New Jersey. Rocco Grimaldi is being given another chance to showcase his talents. He has been called up from Portland and will center the 3rd line. Center is his natural position and he could provide the patch needed to whether the storm until Trocheck returns.
Nick Bjugstad will be moved up to the 2nd line to center Jussi Jokinen and Reilly Smith. MacKenzie should thankfully be returning tonight to center the 4th line, and Gudbranson should be back as well. Steven Kampfer will likely be the scratch tonight.
Al Montoya will be in net.
Quinton Howden has reportedly been in head coach Gerard Gallant's doghouse of late, but it would make sense to put him and his speed back in the lineup to make up for the loss in offense with Trocheck gone.
The trickle effect can be amazing when a player is lost to injury. MacKenzie is a vitally important player on special teams and draws. But when he was gone it wasn't as if the entire roster shifted to make up for the hole.
Trocheck goes down and it sends shockwaves through the lineup. Rightfully so.
With 25 goals and 53 points, Trocheck is having a breakout year in his first full season in the NHL. He also was one of only three players on this beat up roster to play in every game this year, joining Reilly Smith and ironman Brian Campbell. Campbell has never missed a game as a Panther and is now up to 380 consecutive games played.
While Trocheck's shoes are big ones to fill, it could have been much worse. The only concern for the Panthers is they are still not a lock for the playoffs. Odds are good, but for this beleaguered franchise it isn't official until it's official.
The parity in the NHL does not make a huge difference where teams are seeded, but it sure would be great to have home ice advantage for at least the first round. Tallon deserves it as well as the fans.
The Panthers have been no strangers to crippling injuries this year, and for the rest of the regular season that will continue to be the case. But if Trocheck can return for the playoffs and there are no other setbacks, Florida should be in prime position to make some postseason noise.
Every time this team comes close to healthy another injury pops up. Losing another offensive stalwart could prove catastrophic for this club, so getting through games unscathed is almost as important as getting points.
A New Jersey team still fighting for that last playoff spot visits Sunrise tonight. The Panthers better bring a much better game than the egg they laid against Toronto Tuesday. Regulation losses are the biggest enemy of the Florida Panthers right now. We shall see if they can limp to the finish line on a positive note.
Dan Spiegel
Florida Panthers Media
Follow me on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Join the Florida Panthers Insiders FB Page
Connect with me on Google Plus 
Florida Panthers Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»