Panthers' Pirri expected to miss at least 3-4 weeks

The Florida Panthers will be without forward Brandon Pirri for an extended period of time.

Head coach Gerard Gallant said Pirri will likely miss a few weeks, according to the Miami Herald's George Richards, who later tweeted he was hearing the apparent ankle injury will see him sidelined for "at least" three-to-four weeks.

He was hurt Saturday, needing crutches to leave the arena. His lower-body injury isn't as bad as it looked, however, Gallant added.

Pirri has 11 goals and 13 assists in 52 games. He'd been a healthy scratch of late, leading to speculation that he could be a trade candidate as the Feb. 29 deadline nears. It appears he'll be sticking around in South Florida, though.

Making $925,000 against the salary cap, Pirri will turn 25 in April and is set for restricted free agency.