Panthers place Aleksander Barkov on long-term injured reserve with injury to left leg

Panthers have placed Florida center Aleksander Barkov on long-term injured reserve due to a left leg injury. The injury occurred during a game against the San Jose Sharks on Thursday night. The exact details of Barkov's injury are still under evaluation. Barkov, who was the Panthers' captain and a key player in their recent Stanley Cup victories, missed the entire 2025-26 season due to a torn knee ligament.

He has struggled in his first two games of the current season, scoring no points. The Panthers will pay $205 plus GST for Barkov's injury reserve placement for one year, with automatic renewal at $233 plus GST every 52 weeks. This decision keeps Barkov sidelined for at least the next 10 games, with a possibility of a longer absence.