The Florida Panthers, aiming to become the first professional organization to three-peat since the Los Angeles Lakers in the early 2000s, face mounting challenges as their quest for dominance hits another snag. The team, already dealing with a string of injuries, has now added Eetu Luostarinen’s burns from a ‘barbecuing mishap’ to their growing list of setbacks. Sasha Barkov, a key player, faces a potential season-long absence after tearing his ACL just before the season started, while Matthew Tkachuk remains on injured reserve to treat a groin injury sustained during the 4 Nations tournament. Other linemen, including Tomas Nosek, Dmitry Kulikov, and Jonah Gadjovich, have also missed time due to injuries, leaving the team with significant depth concerns.
Luostarinen’s injury, described as an unforeseeable accident, has prompted coach Paul Maurice to take a cautious approach, stating that the player will be listed as ‘week-to-week’ due to the lack of experience with such injuries. The Panthers have confirmed that Luostarinen did not require hospitalization but did receive medical attention. Meanwhile, other injured players such as Barkov, Kulikov, and Gadjovich are still on track for recovery periods that span several months, while Tkachuk may start skating by the end of the month and could make a season debut in December. However, the team has added another layer of uncertainty with Cole Schwindt, a forward they claimed off waivers last month, who will now miss two to three months after requiring surgery for a broken arm.
Adding to the list of mishaps, the Panthers have faced a series of unlucky incidents, including the recent ‘barbecuing mishap’ that injured Luostarinen and the New Jersey Devils’ Jack Hughes’ injury after he reportedly cut his finger following a slip and fall on glass at a team dinner. Despite these setbacks, the Panthers have reached three consecutive Cup Finals, but their current standing in the Atlantic Division at sixth place with 19 points places them in a precarious position. The last NHL team to achieve a three-peat was the New York Islanders, who won four straight to start the 1980s. As the Panthers navigate these challenges, the team’s ability to overcome these injuries will be critical in determining their success in their pursuit of history.