Panthers’ Eetu Luostarinen out week-to-week after barbecue accident
Who knew eating food could be so dangerous?
Just five days after the news that New Jersey Devils superstar center Jack Hughes sliced his hand during a team dinner, Florida Panthers head coach Paul Maurice told the media Wednesday that forward Eetu Luostarinen suffered burns during a barbecue accident that will keep him out week-to-week.
Eetu Luostarinen is week to week after suffering burns during a barbecue accident, per head coach Paul Maurice.
— Jameson Olive (@JamesonCoop) November 19, 2025Maurine added that Luostarinen’s burns weren’t severe enough to require an overnight hospital stay, and that the Finnish national’s return depends on when he’ll feel comfortable putting on his gear.
More on Luostarinen's burns:
Maurice said he didn't need to stay overnight at the hospital or anything, so that's good. A lot of his return will depend on how he feels when he puts his gear on
Luostarinen, 27, missed Monday’s 8-5 win over the Vancouver Canucks with a lower-body injury that was considered day-to-day, but now he’ll be out much longer than had been expected.
In his sixth full NHL season, all with the Panthers, Luostarinen has been a key member of Florida’s forward depth during their current mini-dynasty, in which they’ve won two consecutive Stanley Cups. He particularly shone during the team’s most recent postseason run, when he combined with Brad Marchand and Anton Lundell to form a potent third line. In last season’s playoffs, Luostarinen put up five goals and 14 assists for 19 points in 23 games, which is remarkable production for a bottom-six forward.
This season, Luostarinen has scored three goals and added seven assists for 10 points in 18 games played.
Luostarinen was originally drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the second round of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. After appearing in just eight games for Carolina in the 2019-20 season, he was dealt to the Panthers as part of a five-player package in a trade that sent Vincent Trocheck to the Hurricanes.
In Luostarinen’s absence, top prospect Jack Devine will make his debut for the Panthers in Thursday’s game against New Jersey . Florida will then finish up a five-game homestand against the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday.