Paul Maurice shares bad news regarding Brad Marchand.

The Florida Panthers may be entering the process of shutting down some of their veteran players.

On Monday, Panthers head coach Paul Maurice announced that veteran forward Brad Marchand will be consulting with medical professionals and is out for the time being. The Panthers are set to take on the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday and Maurice confirmed that Marchand will be out for that game, although indicated that it will likely be longer than that.

Although the Panthers have not officially been eliminated from playoff contention, they are 11 points back of the Boston Bruins for the final Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference and it seems extremely unlikely that they will make it in. This is purely speculation on my part, but I would not be surprised if the Panthers begin to shut down their more veteran players as they attempt to return next season with a healthy roster.

Marchand had to shoulder a heavy burden for the Panthers this season with players like Matthew Tkachuk and Aleksander Barkov sidelined by injuries, with Marchand putting up 27 goals and 27 assists for 54 points in just 52 games played.

At 37 years of age I would not be at all surprised if the Panthers now move to shut him down and preserve him for next season.