- Aleksander Barkov and Brad Marchand skated for the first time since their knee injuries
- Paul Maurice says Barkov is about four weeks away and Marchand about three
- Read below for what Maurice said and where the Panthers stand
Aleksander Barkov is back on the ice, and the Panthers finally have a timeline for getting their captain back.
Head coach Paul Maurice said Thursday that Barkov and Brad Marchand both skated Wednesday for the first time since their knee injuries. Barkov is about four weeks from returning, while Marchand could be back in roughly three.
Maurice was asked where the two forwards stand in their recoveries.
“Back on the ice,” Maurice said. “Yesterday was their first time, so they are at schedule, and that’s a positive.”
Catch the update from the Panthers’ end:
Barkov went down Oct. 1 in a 4-3 overtime loss at San Jose when his leg crumpled during a board battle. It was only his second game back after he missed all of last season following reconstructive surgery on his right knee. He told reporters he would be back soon after the injury.
Marchand has been out since Oct. 6, when he fell into the goal post during a 2-1 win at Los Angeles. That was his second game of the season after offseason surgery, and Maurice had already put him on a six-week timeline.
Both players will now travel with the team and skate every day with the group. Maurice explained how the next stage works.
“We are happy with where they are at,” Maurice said. “Once they hit the ice they will travel with us exclusively. They are here every day.”
Sam Bennett talked about how much the Panthers feel the absence of both players.
“Those are two massive pieces to this team,” Bennett said. “Obviously we feel it when they are not in the lineup. Just hoping they can get back in the lineup sooner rather than later.”
Goalie Jacob Markstrom skated Wednesday too after getting hurt in practice Oct. 19. Maurice originally said 10 to 14 days and now sounds optimistic it will be closer to 10.
Florida sits fourth in the Atlantic at 7-4-2 and has won two straight. The Panthers open a three-game homestand against the Jets on Friday at 7 p.m. ET.
