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Panthers' Aleksander Barkov: No rust in preseason opener
Rotowire
Barkov delivered a goal and a power-play assist during Sunday's 6-3 preseason win over the Hurricanes.
Barkov skated on the top line between Brady Tkachuk and Sam Reinhart on Sunday, which is a trio that has the potential to be one of the best lines in the NHL this season if it sticks together. Barkov missed the entirety of the 2025-26 season, but if he stays healthy this year, he will be a high-end fantasy option at the center position. Don't forget about the Finnish playmaker on draft day.
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Panthers' Aleksander Barkov: Good to go
Rotowire
Barkov (knee) is available for the start of training camp, per David Dwork of The Hockey News on Wednesday.
Barkov didn't play at all during the 2025-26 campaign due to the injury, but he did log three goals and 11 points in 10 outings for Team Finland during the 2026 IIHF World Championship. Even without focusing on the lost season, Barkov has a lengthy injury history. The 31-year-old hasn't reached the 75-game mark in a regular season since 2018-19. However, Barkov is capable of producing a little over a point per game when healthy.
Panthers' Aleksander Barkov: Playing in World Championship
Rotowire
Barkov (knee) will play for Finland at the 2026 IIHF World Championship in Switzerland, Chris Johnston of The Athletic reports Thursday.
Barkov missed the entire regular season after undergoing knee surgery in training camp. He has been skating since January and would have returned to the lineup at some point had Florida made it into the playoffs. He will test out his knee in May for Finland and is expected to be ready to return for the start of training camp in September, barring any setbacks.
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Panthers' Aleksander Barkov: Still skating, out for season
Rotowire
As expected, Barkov (knee) won't return before the end of the 2025-26 season, per George Richards of Florida Hockey Now on Monday.
Barkov has been skating since January and participated in practices with his teammates for the past few weeks. However, head coach Paul Maurice confirmed before Sunday's 3-1 loss to the Rangers that Barkov won't play this campaign. The 30-year-old Barkov had reconstructive surgery last September to repair his right ACL and MCL. He just passed the six-month mark of a 7-9 month recovery. Barkov registered 20 goals and 71 points in 67 appearances during the 2024-25 regular season.
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Panthers' Aleksander Barkov: Skating in non-contact jersey
Rotowire
Barkov (knee) took the ice Tuesday in a non-contact sweater, George Richards of Florida Hockey Now reports.
Barkov continues to work his way back from a long-term knee problem that required surgery back in September. With the Cats having basically waved the white flag on this season, there is no reason to rush the veteran center back into the lineup. Still, Barkov probably would benefit from getting into a handful of games this year to shake off the rust if he is cleared in time.
Barkov (knee) was shifted to injured reserve Tuesday.
This move was not unexpected, as Barkov recently underwent knee surgery to repair injuries to his right ACL and MCL. Florida's captain has a 7-9 month recovery timeline, and it's a possibility he'll be held out of a potential playoff run to allow him to fully heal for the 2026-27 campaign. Sam Bennett is slated to center the top line in Barkov's stead.
Panthers' Aleksander Barkov: Undergoing right knee surgery
Rotowire
Barkov is having surgery to repair a right knee injury Friday and will be sidelined indefinitely, George Richards of Florida Hockey Now reports.
While the team hasn't provided a specific timeline or announced the exact nature of his knee surgery, there is concern that this could end his 2025-26 campaign before it even starts. At this point, Barkov probably isn't worth the risk in re-draft formats and only has value in keeper/dynasty contests, where he can be stashed away for the 2026-27 campaign. With Barkov out, Anton Lundell will likely be pressed into the second-line center role to open the season.
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Panthers' Aleksander Barkov: Missing 7-9 months
Rotowire
Barkov (knee) underwent surgery Friday to repair injuries to his right ACL and MCL and will miss 7-9 months.
Even in a best-case scenario, it is almost certain Barkov will miss the entirety of the 2025-26 regular season. If he's on the long end of the timeline, he could also miss the playoffs. The Panthers will have to dig deep to cover Barkov's absence, which will likely lead to a bigger role for Anton Lundell and a committee approach to filling bottom-six minutes. Expect Barkov to be placed on long-term injured reserve prior to the start of the season.
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