Panthers forward Brad Marchand during a morning skate at TD Garden in Boston on Tuesday, March 11. (Florida Panthers) [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/4ea151a3-e050-4a45-8b65-a27d3c685f9d.webp] Panthers forward Brad Marchand during a morning skate at TD Garden in Boston on Tuesday, March 11. (Florida Panthers) On Monday, something unexpected happened in a familiar place. The scene was TD Garden in Boston. The star was Brad Marchand. But why wasn’t he wearing black and gold? Nope, Marchand, for the first time, was on the ice as a member of the Florida Panthers. The injured Marchand wasn’t expected to be back on the ice so soon, but as Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice said afterwards, it was a positive step in what is still viewed as an extended rehab program. “I don’t think anything has necessarily changed in the original diagnosis. He was week-to-week, we’re hopeful to get him back toward the end of the regular season,” Maurice said. “He wanted to get on the ice and move some pucks around, just to see where he was at, so that was a positive that he stayed through it. I mean, that was an 11-minute morning skate, so it wouldn’t be too heavy. I don’t think that necessarily puts him ahead of his injury rehab, but it puts him back on the ice, which is the positive part for legs and conditions and all those other things. He’s going to be able to do some things on the ice, fortunately, but I don’t know that that changes how long this is going to take to heal.” During the skate, Marchand was taking line rushes with Sasha Barkov and Sam Reinhart. It will be interesting to see where Maurice slots him in the lineup once Marchand is fully healthy and ready to return, and if he moves around while practicing during his rehab time. Something else to keep an eye out for will be if Marchand is able to take part in full practices, or even regular morning skates, moving forward. While on the road, the next possible practice day isn’t until next week, so for now, it’s just morning skates. Also, will he ever have to start wearing a gold non-contact jersey, if and when those full practices do roll around again? As you ponder all that, check out the video below to see footage of Marchand in action on Monday morning in Boston: LATEST STORIES FROM THE HOCKEY NEWS - FLORIDA Three takeaways: Panthers burn themselves in Boston collapse [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/three-takeaways-panthers-burn-themselves-in-boston-collapse] Panthers blow 2-goal third period lead, lose in Boston 3-2 [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/game-day/panthers-blow-2-goal-third-period-lead-lose-in-boston-3-2] Brad Marchand joins Panthers for morning skate in Boston, skates on Florida's top line [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/brad-marchand-joins-panthers-for-morning-skate-in-boston-skates-on-floridas-top-line] Panthers begin extended road trip with rivalry matchup in Boston [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/game-day/panthers-begin-extended-road-trip-with-rivalry-matchup-in-boston] Brad Marchand gets emotional during first appearance as member of Florida Panthers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/players/brad-marchand-gets-emotional-during-first-appearance-as-member-of-florida-panthers]
