FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Let’s face it: The Florida Panthers will be Stanley Cup contenders for years to come.
After knocking off the Edmonton Oilers in back-to-back seasons, the two-time Stanley Cup champions will begin their quest for a three-peat on Oct. 7 against the Chicago Blackhawks at Amerant Bank Arena.
It will, however, come with some adversity.
Related story: Florida Panthers captain Sasha Barkov to be out 7 to 9 months following knee surgery
The team learned earlier this month that star forward Matthew Tkachuk would be sidelined until around December after undergoing surgery to repair a torn adductor muscle and sports hernia.
The Panthers also learned that Tomas Nosek, a key contributor on their fourth line last season, sustained a significant knee injury during offseason training and will miss several months to start the 2025-26 season, according to general manager/president of hockey operations Bill Zito.
The injury bug struck again — and in a painful way — with team captain Aleksander Barkov, the No. 2 overall pick by the Panthers in 2013, going down with what appeared to be a non-contact injury during the first official practice of training camp on Thursday.
Panthers head coach Paul Maurice confirmed the team’s worst fears, opening his media availability Friday by announcing that Barkov was undergoing surgery, with further details to be provided once the procedure was complete.
“I know the idea is next man up,” Maurice said Friday. “There isn’t a next man to fill Barky’s skates.”
Barkov ranks first in franchise history in several categories — including games played (804) and goals (286), assists (496), points (782), power play goals (84), shorthanded goals (13) and game-winning goals (52).
Friday evening, the team released an official statement: “Florida Panthers Captain Aleksander Barkov suffered injuries to his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and medial collateral ligament (MCL) at yesterday’s practice.
Today, he underwent successful surgery by Dr. John Uribe at Baptist Health Doctors Hospital. He will be re-evaluated on an ongoing basis.
The expected recovery timeline for these injuries is 7 to 9 months.”
Without Barkov, the Panthers will face a significant challenge in maintaining their offensive and leadership presence — but completing a three-peat is still doable.
Florida, which re-signed Aaron Ekblad, Brad Marchand and Sam Bennett, will lean heavily on that trio — but Maurice also has Sam Reinhart, Carter Verhaeghe, Evan Rodrigues, Anton Lundell and Eetu Luostarinen, among others, so experience shouldn’t be an issue.
Both Verhaeghe and Lundell took the podium Friday at the Baptist Health IcePlex to address the news about Barkov – with Verhaeghe offering interesting insight.
“It’s going to be tough,” Verhaeghe said. “He’s our leader.”
“It’s another challenge for our group and we’re usually pretty good at overcoming challenges,” Verhaeghe added.
“It’s time for everybody to step up — especially me," Lundell said.
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