Barkov, Panthers captain, out with injury: season at risk

Aleksander Barkov, Panthers captain, will miss the season due to injury

Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov underwent surgery on Friday to repair the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in his right knee. These injuries will keep him out of action for the entire regular season and possibly the playoffs as well, as the Panthers seek to win their third consecutive Stanley Cup. Barkov suffered the injury on Thursday in his first official training camp practice. The surgery was performed on Friday and the Panthers reported that the usual recovery time for this type of procedure is 7 to 9 months. This suggests that, at a minimum, he will not play before the start of the playoffs. In addition, it ends any possibility of him representing his native Finland at the Milan-Cortina Olympics next February, as he hoped and planned.

He’s a very important person in the locker room. I think what we’re going to experience now is that we’ll get to know some of the other leaders we have on our team.

Paul Maurice, Panthers coach

Barkov was injured 20 minutes into practice, during a simple exercise without significant contact.

I know the idea is that the next man steps up. But there is no next man for Barky’s skates.

Paul Maurice, Panthers coach

Barkov led the Panthers in assists last season with 51 and was second in points with 71, adding six goals and 16 more assists in the playoffs, where Florida won its second consecutive Stanley Cup. In his 12 seasons in the NHL, Barkov has participated in more than 86% of Florida’s games, including the playoffs. This is the first time he has faced a situation that will likely keep him out for an entire season. Now, the Panthers, who have reached the last three Stanley Cup Finals and have played more games in the last three seasons than any other team in a three-year period in NHL history, will have to face the absence of another star as the season approaches. In addition to Barkov, the Panthers will also be without forward Matthew Tkachuk, who is recovering from offseason surgery to repair a torn adductor muscle. There is no official timeline for Tkachuk’s return; given the typical recovery duration for these types of procedures, it does not seem likely that he will play in any games before December. Since Tkachuk arrived at the Panthers in 2022, Florida has only played five games without him or Barkov in the lineup, all last October, winning three of those five games. In addition, Tomas Nosek, who played an important role in last season’s Cup title run, is expected to miss a considerable amount of time due to a knee injury.

It’s going to be difficult. He’s our leader, there’s no one to replace Barky. Everyone has to step up. There’s no way to replace him, but it’s another challenge for our group. And we’re usually very good at overcoming challenges.

Carter Verhaeghe, Panthers forward

Barkov is the franchise leader for Florida in many categories, including games played (804), goals (286), assists (496), points (782), power-play goals (84), and game-winning goals (52).