The Florida Panthers are weighing whether to shut down Brad Marchand for the remainder of the season as the veteran forward continues to battle a lower-body injury. Coach Paul Maurice indicated that with the team 12 points out of a playoff spot and just 19 games remaining, the focus may shift to getting Marchand fully healthy.

Marchand, who ranks second on the Panthers with 27 goals, 27 assists, and 54 points this season, has been managing the injury for weeks. The 37-year-old, who won Stanley Cups with Boston and Florida, has been a key contributor despite the setback. Maurice said the injury has worsened during the recent road trip, making recovery increasingly difficult.

The potential shutdown adds to Florida's mounting injury woes. The Panthers have already lost captain Aleksander Barkov to a torn knee ligament, played without star forward Matthew Tkachuk for nearly 50 games, and seen defensive production drop since Seth Jones's injury. Maurice noted these challenges have plagued the team since training camp began.