- Barkov injured in first practice of training camp
- Panthers have no timeline for Barkov’s return
- Read below for details on Barkov’s injury
The Florida Panthers were just dealt a big blow.
On Thursday, the Panthers were dealt a scare when captain Aleksander Barkov suffered an apparent lower-body injury during the first training camp session for veterans. He was helped off the ice after taking an awkward fall.
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Florida’s fears were realized on Friday as the club is bracing for the possibility of Barkov being out for the entire season due to a knee injury.
“There’s no hiding it – that’s the big man,” Panthers head coach Paul Maurice said. “He’s such an important place in that locker room. What we’re going to get to experience now is you’ll get to know some of the other leaders that we have in our room. We’ll get to see other players. At the end of the day, I know there’s the idea of next man up, I get all that, but there’s not a next man for his skates.”
The Panthers are already going to be starting the season without Matthew Tkachuk, who underwent surgery of his own late in the summer. He is expected back sometime in early 2026.
Barkov has been a key piece of the Panthers winning back-to-back Stanley Cups. He is widely regarded as one of the best two-way forwards in the league, winning the Selke Trophy in each of the last two seasons as well — and three in total.
Stay tuned for more updates on Barkov’s status.
