Panthers’ Jacob Markstrom to miss 10-14 days; Cooper Black recalled

Some unwanted news in the Sunshine State.

When speaking to the media on Tuesday, Florida Panthers head coach Paul Maurice announced that goaltender Jacob Markstrom is expected to miss the next 10-14 days after getting injured in practice on Monday.

The Panthers called up fellow netminder Cooper Black from their American Hockey League affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers. Maurice added that Black will make his NHL debut on the team’s four-game road trip, which begins Wednesday night against the rival Ottawa Senators.

Maurice didn’t go into detail about what has knocked Markstrom out of action, only stating that he was hit with a puck, which kept him off the ice on Tuesday as well. It had to have hit the Swedish backstop in a soft spot to be worth keeping him on the shelf for possibly two weeks.

Markstrom has been solid in his return to Florida thus far. In six starts, the 36-year-old has a record of 3-1-1, with a 2.21 goals-against average, a .897 save percentage and one shutout. The Panthers reacquired him and Angus Crookshank this past offseason from the New Jersey Devils, trading Evan Rodrigues, Jesper Boqvist and Ben Steeves to make it happen.

Whenever Black makes his first NHL start, he’ll become the tallest netminder in league history. The Alpena, Mich. native stands at 6-foot-8 and is coming off an impressive third season with the Checkers, where he went 25-13-4, helping his team finish third in the AHL’s Atlantic Division.

In some better news, Maurice revealed that defenseman Radko Gudas is healthy and is expected to return to the lineup on Wednesday night against the Senators. The veteran has missed the last three games with an undisclosed injury.

Puck drop between the Cats and Sens is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.