Verhaeghe has established himself as one of the premier goal scorers in the NHL and has been rewarded with an eight-year, $56 million contract extension. Over the past two seasons, in addition to some clutch playoff performances, the 29-year-old Verhaeghe has tallied 145 points (76G / 69A) and 521 shots in 157 regular-season games. He is currently suiting up on the top line and top powerplay unit for the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers.

Verhaeghe will return to the lineup sooner than anticipated and play on Tuesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Before his injury, Verhaeghe scored 71 points (34G / 37A) in 75 games and was on pace to set a career-high in points.

Verhaeghe left Monday's loss in Toronto and will be sidelined for at least one week. The Panthers are hopeful that he'll be back for the postseason, but this is obviously a huge blow to their top-6, which will also be without Matthew Tkachuk (illness) on Tuesday. Look for Vladimir Tarasenko to move up to the top line in Verhaeghe's absence.

Verhaeghe was forced to miss Florida's training camp skate Friday as he is day-to-day with muscle tightness but is expected to be ready for opening night after facing a similar injury last preseason. The 28-year-old left-winger had a breakout season in 2023-24 with 42 goals, 31 assists, 46 PIMs, 275 SOG and a +10 plus/minus. He is entering his fifth NHL season and has 93 goals and 177 points in 254 career games played.

Verhaeghe missed Tuesday's contest due to an undisclosed injury and is expected to return to the Panthers' lineup Thursday after feeling better during practice. The 27-year-old will be a welcome addition back as he leads the Panthers in goals (15) and has 24 points in 29 games played.

Verhaeghe missed Tuesday's contest due to an undisclosed injury and is expected to return to the Panthers' lineup Thursday after feeling better during practice. The 27-year-old will be a welcome addition back as he leads the Panthers in goals (15) and has 24 points in 29 games played.

Verhaeghe missed Tuesday's contest due to an undisclosed injury and will be a game-time decision Thursday after feeling better during practice. The 27-year-old will be a welcome addition back as he leads the Panthers in goals (15) and has 24 points in 29 games played.

Verhaeghe was held out of the last three games but will replace Mason Marchment (maintenance) in the lineup on Tuesday. Verhaeghe has been pretty quiet as of late, posting just five points (1G / 4A) in his last 14 games.

Verhaeghe will be held out of the Panthers' lineup on Thursday with Joe Thornton drawing back into the lineup. Sam Reinhart will move up to the top line with Verhaeghe out.

Verhaeghe missed Tuesday's morning skate and is listed as a game-time decision vs. the Flames. Missing Verhaeghe will be even more detrimental on Tuesday with Sam Bennett, Sam Reinhart and Mason Marchment all unavailable.

Verhaeghe is one of five Panthers that entered COVID-19 protocol this week, putting Thursday's game vs. the Kings in jeopardy.

Verhaeghe has been out since April 10th but will play Monday vs. the Lightning. Verhaeghe, who has 17 goals and 18 assists (35 points) in 42 games, will be back on the top line with Aleksander Barkov and Anthony Duclair.

Despite practicing most of the week, Verhaeghe will not play Saturday vs. the Lightning. Head coach Joel Quenneville said that if it were Game 1 of the playoffs that Verhaeghe would be in. With their playoff seed ready locked up, there's no sense rushing Verhaeghe back.

Verhaeghe is set to miss his sixth straight game on Thursday and he's not expected to play until the Panthers' next homestand, which doesn't start until May 3rd. On Thursday, Patric Hornqvist will skate on the top line to be the latest player to replace Verhaeghe in that role.

Verhaeghe scored nine goals with four assists (13 points) in 52 games in his rookie season in the NHL in 2020. The 25-year-old is a former third-round pick (2015) and led the AHL in goals (34) and points (82) in 2018-19. He's shown offensive ability at lower-levels in the past, now it's a matter of getting opportunity in Florida to showcase he can do it at the NHL-level.