Fort Lauderdale – The Florida Panthers are no strangers to adversity.
However, this latest test is more stringent than most people.
The back-to-back Stanley Cup champion beat hit was when Captain Alexander Barkov underwent surgery to repair a knee injury, coach Paul Maurice announced Friday.
At the time of this writing, there is no full schedule for his recovery yet.
“I won’t hide it – it’s a big guy,” Maurice said. “He’s a very important place in that locker room. What we can experience now is to know some of the other leaders in our room. You can meet other players. At the end of the day, there’s the idea of the next guy.
The injury occurred Thursday during the first day of Florida’s training camp for veterans. He was given an extra week to prepare and pass his own routine, following three straight-shortened summers.
After a minor collision during the drill, Barkov’s right leg awkwardly bent as it fell into the ice. He was eventually helped by a pair of trainers in the locker room, with little weight on the legs in question.
“When I see one of my friends get off, it sucks,” said teammate Carter Werhege.
Preparing for the 13th NHL season drafted by the Panthers with their second pick in 2013, Barkov stands as the franchise’s all-time leader in all major categories, including goals (286), assists (496), points (782), and games (804).
Currently widely considered the best two-way player in the NHL, Barkov is a three-time Selke Trophy winner and is given to the league’s best defensive forward each year. He won his first Serque in 2021 and won each of the last two seasons.
After becoming the first Finnish-born player to captain a Stanley Cup team in 2023, Barkov became the first European to captain multiple Stanley Cup teams in 2024.
Like Maurice said, you can’t replace that type of player.
Still, the Panthers know they have the talent and experience they keep pushing.
“On the first day of camp’s first practice, I don’t want to see anyone get injured,” said teammate Anton Randell, who is expected to see an upward role in Barkov’s absence. “I was feeling a little down yesterday. We all texted Barky. I spoke to him. He’s fine. That’s all.
In addition to Barkov, the Panthers will also begin their quest for the third straight Stanley Cup without Matthew Tokachuk and Thomas Nose. Tkachuk, who had undergone surgery to repair adductors and sports hernia that had torn apart in August, is expected to be on the sidelines until some time in December, but Nosek (lower body) is considered monthly.
But even without any important fragments, the Panthers are built to survive every storm.
“There are a lot of leaders in the room,” Randell said. “It won’t be quiet.”
Stay tuned for more information about Barkov’s status.
