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Nick Bjugstad News
Bjugstad will miss the rest of the season after having lower-back surgery.

The Panthers run to the playoffs will come without their leading scorer after Nick Bjugstad had season-ending lower back surgery on Friday. Bjugstad had 24 goals and 19 assists in 72 games this season for the Panthers, but had been hampered by a mysterious 'lower body' injury over the past few weeks.It has been an issue for awhile and the Panthers felt it was important to get the procedure done as soon as possible.

Nick Bjugstad
Bjugstad (lower-body) will not play on Thursday.

Bjugstad did not travel to Toronto, so he won’t play tonight and could miss the entire road trip. The Panthers have a back-to-back on the weekend so if Bjugstad doesn’t join the team on the trip, Vincent Trocheck will stay in the lineup through the weekend.

Nick Bjugstad
The Panthers signed Nick Bjugstad to a six-year, $24.6 million extension.

Bjugstad has 21 points (13G / 8A) in 34 games this season. His 13 goals leads the Panthers and puts him on pace for 31 this season. He is miles ahead of his strong rookie campaign and should continue to get better. His six-year extension will see him in Florida through the 2020-21 season.

Nick Bjugstad