One day after injured captain Willie Mitchell said the NHL is too lenient with respect to headshots, the Florida Panthers may have lost another defenseman to a head injury.
Defenseman Erik Gudbranson has reportedly left the club to return to Florida to be re-evaluated for a concussion, according to the Sun Sentinel's Harvey Fialkov.
Gudbranson took a high hit from Toronto Maple Leafs forward Colin Greening on Monday. There was no penalty on the play, something the defender was furious about. Gudbranson missed time earlier this season due to a concussion, so the Panthers are exercising caution with the playoffs a week away.
The Panthers are in Montreal on Tuesday and will be in Ottawa on Thursday. Their final game of the regular season is Saturday at home against Carolina.
Gudbranson has two goals and seven assists in 64 games. Alex Petrovic will take his spot in the lineup Tuesday.
