Jacob Markstrom took part in the Florida Panthers' morning skate today, and a return to the crease looks like it's getting closer.
The update comes from Jameson Olive, who reports that the goaltender was on the ice Friday morning. That matters, because Markstrom is still listed on injured reserve with an upper-body injury.
According to the latest injury report, he is expected to be out until at least Nov 4. That's an estimate, not a promise, but the timeline now looks tighter than it did a few days ago.
Florida opens its homestand tonight against the Winnipeg Jets, and Akira Schmid is getting the start. Markstrom won't be in the lineup, but the fact he's skating with the group says plenty.
Back on Sunday, Jacob Markstrom's IR listing ahead of the Blackhawks game was the story. Five days later, he's back around the team and moving in the right direction.
The Panthers have managed the absence well enough. They sit at 7-4-2 and have won two straight, including a 5-1 road win in Winnipeg on Tuesday.
Markstrom has played six games this season, so he was already part of the early work before the injury.
Why a Markstrom return changes the Panthers' goalie picture
Here's what Olive wrote on the morning skate.
Olive said Markstrom shouldn't be far off from a return, and that's the line Panthers fans were waiting on. Participating in a morning skate is a step, not a finish line.
Still, a 36-year-old goaltender with 584 regular-season games behind him doesn't need a long runway once he's cleared. The question is whether the Panthers rush the process or wait until Nov 4 comes and goes.
Florida has given up 37 goals through 13 games against 39 scored, a +2 goal differential. That's a thin margin, and in a tight Atlantic Division race, with the Panthers sitting fifth, goaltending stability matters.
Paul Maurice has ridden a tandem approach while Markstrom has been out. Getting the veteran back means Schmid can settle into a defined role rather than carrying extra starts.
There's also the matter of the schedule. The Panthers are at home for this stretch, and Florida is 2-1-0 at home, so they'd love to build momentum before the goalie situation resolves.
The next step is a full practice, then a clear sign from Maurice. If Markstrom is back by the first week of November, will the Panthers' 13th-place start finally turn into a real climb?
Should the Panthers hold Jacob Markstrom out until at least Nov 4 even if he's ready sooner?
Voting closed
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