Panthers Hit With Rough Aleksander Barkov Update After Scary Injury
Florida Panthers star center Aleksander Barkov is expected to be out for the next 10 to 12 weeks due to injury.
The Florida Panthers suffered a significant blow after Aleksander Barkov sustained a rough injury during their Oct. 1 game against the San Jose Sharks. The defenseman was seen limping off the ice and immediately left the game, raising concerns among fans and the team. Barkov, who missed the entire 2025-26 season due to ACL and MCL surgery, is now expected to be out for a period of 10 to 12 weeks, according to an update from Locked on Florida Panthers Armando Velez.
While this is better than the worst-case scenario, it is still a considerable absence, as Barkov is one of the NHL's premier players. His absence will require the Panthers to adjust without their captain, who was instrumental in leading the team to back-to-back Stanley Cup championships in back-to-back seasons. Barkov's absence will be deeply felt, but the good news is that he is not expected to miss the entire season and could return to the Panthers around Christmas if his recovery continues as planned.
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