Panthers Marchand could be back in 6 weeks after knee injury

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- The left knee injury Florida Panthers forward Brad Marchand suffered during a game in early October had him initially concerned that his season or even his career could be in jeopardy, he revealed on Thursday.

Those fears were quickly brought under control; the Panthers soon learned that Marchand would be able to begin on-ice rehab work within a few weeks, which was the case. Marchand said Thursday he hopes to return to game action within the next six weeks, possibly a bit less.

"I've never been so happy to be out for this amount of time," Marchand said. "The injury could have been so much worse. I've never hurt my knee before. I didn't really know what to think when…