Panthers general manager Bill Zito said Saturday that the forward is expected to return midseason.
Duclair had an NHL career-high 31 goals and 58 points in 71 games this season, including 21 power-play points (nine goals, 12 assists). He had three points (one goal, two assists) in eight Stanley Cup Playoff games. The Panthers won the Presidents' Trophy for having the best record in the NHL during the regular season (58-18-6) but were swept by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the best-of-7 Eastern Conference Second Round.
Selected by the New York Rangers in the third round (No. 80) of the 2013 NHL Draft, Duclair has 252 points (120 goals, 132 assists) in 470 regular-season games for the Panthers, Ottawa Senators, Columbus Blue Jackets, Chicago Blackhawks, Arizona Coyotes and Rangers. He has three points (one goal, two assists) in 14 playoff games.
The 2022-23 regular season will begin Oct. 11 in North America. The Nashville Predators and San Jose Sharks will play two regular-season games in the 2022 NHL Global Series at O2 Arena in Prague on Oct. 7 and 8.
