Jonathan Huberdeau out 'long term': report

Florida Panthers forward Jonathan Huberdeau will miss significant time because of a lower-body injury, according to the Sun Sentinel. 

Huberdeau was expected to have an MRI on his left ankle Sunday night after it was cut by a skate during a preseason game Saturday, and Panthers general manager Tom Rowe told the paper Huberdeau will be out "long term with a lower body injury."

Huberdeau was injured with about 6:45 remaining in the first period against the New Jersey Devils. Huberdeau was behind the net and engaged with Devils forward Sergey Kalinin when Kalinin's right leg came up and then down on the back of Huberdeau's left ankle. 

Panthers coach Gerard Gallant told the Miami Herald that Huberdeau had to be stitched up and is in a walking boot. 

"It doesn't look good right now, but until we get the MRI, we don't know a whole lot," Gallant said Sunday. "He got cut pretty bad with the skate. We'll see what happens. We're obviously hoping for the best. Will it be two weeks, two months? We don't have a timeframe. The MRI will tell us a lot." 

Huberdeau, 23, signed a six-year contract extension worth $5.9 million annually on Sept. 7 that begins next season. He had 20 goals and 39 assists (59 points) in 76 games last season. 

"We're hoping for the best with Jonathan. You just don't replace a player like that," Gallant said. 

The Panthers this week said forward Nick Bjugstad is out at least four weeks with a broken hand. 

Florida defeated New Jersey 4-2 in the game at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, N.Y.

via NHL.