For the past few years, the Florida Panthers have been the most dominant team in the NHL, winning back-to-back Stanley Cups. A big part of that success was their captain, Aleksander Barkov, who was a cornerstone of their blue line.
But for the Panthers, their latest campaign didn’t start the way they might have wanted, as Barkov’s injury has put him on the shelf for the rest of the season. But rumors suggest that while the Panthers’ captain might be out, Florida is still holding on their door for him.
Are the Panthers Still Hoping for Aleksander Barkov’s Return From Injury?
Since being drafted #2 by the Panthers back in 2013, Barkov has remained one of the biggest reasons behind Florida’s dominance. Under his captaincy, the franchise reached three consecutive Stanley Cup Finals, winning two of them.
So when Barkov tore his ACL and MCL on September 25 during the Panthers’ first training camp, the franchise was dealt a huge blow. According to reports, his right knee buckled under him during a no-contact drill when he neared defenseman Niko Mikkola.
Barkov was unable to put weight on his right leg and was eventually taken for medical attention, where his injuries were confirmed. The D-man has since undergone surgery, but experts believe it will take him seven to nine months to return to action.
This puts him on the shelf for the 2025-26 season. However, while Florida has been working on its blue line in Barkov’s absence, recent reports suggest that it’s still holding onto the hope of him returning.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported on Saturday, October 11, that the Panthers still haven’t put Barkov on LTIR. Friedman suspects that since putting him on LTIR would also rule out Barkov from the playoffs under the new CBA rules, the Panthers still haven’t made that decision.
The franchise believes that it will keep them ready in case Barkov makes a faster-than-expected recovery from his injuries. The Panthers have forgone the $10 million in cap relief they could’ve gotten if they shelved the 30-year-old.
Friedman mentioned that the Panthers could change their minds at any point, but Barkov remains on injury reserve for now. He noted that just like the Vegas Golden Knights, who had earlier put their star defenseman Alex Pietrangelo on LTIR, Florida could also make this decision.
But as of now, Barkov is still eligible to play for his team. And the Panthers have already re-signed Mikkola in Barkov’s absence, as, despite their captain and star defenseman, the franchise is 1-0-0 in their campaign.
With definitive victories over the likes of the Senators and the Blackhawks, the Panthers’ forward unit looks in the same shape that led them to lift the Stanley Cup four months ago.
