The Florida Panthers are awaiting an update on the condition of their captain, Aleksander Barkov, after he sustained an apparent right leg injury during training camp on Thursday. The incident occurred during the first practice session with the full team present.
Barkov went down on the ice and remained there for several minutes. He required assistance from the team's staff to leave the ice, and he appeared to be putting very little weight on his right leg. The severity of the injury is not yet known.
Panthers coach Paul Maurice addressed the media after practice, stating that Barkov is currently being evaluated. He indicated that the team expects to have more information regarding the nature and severity of the injury on Friday. "It will get looked at today," Maurice said. "I will have a better answer for you tomorrow."
The injury to Barkov is another blow to the Panthers, who are already dealing with injuries to key forwards Matthew Tkachuk and Tomas Nosek. Tkachuk is expected to be out until at least December as he recovers from surgery to repair a torn adductor muscle and a sports hernia. Nosek is also sidelined for multiple months due to a lower-body injury. Fourth-line winger Jonah Gadjovich was also absent from practice, though he did skate individually afterward.
Despite the mounting injuries, Maurice remained steadfast in his approach. "It's beyond our control," Maurice said. "We have to learn to win hockey games without good players. But if that's the adversity or the test that we face this year, that's what we're going to do. I mean, I'm not a doctor. Whatever the report is, it won't affect what we do the next day." He added, "If he's out of the lineup on opening night, or if he misses an exhibition game, or if he is out long term, it's just not going to affect that day," Maurice said. "We have to win the hockey game. We have to prep for it. That's all."
Barkov, a three-time winner of the Selke Trophy as the NHL's best defensive forward, is a crucial player for the Panthers. He has won the award in 2021, 2024 and 2025. Last season, he recorded 71 points (20 goals, 51 assists) in 67 games. The 30-year-old Barkov also holds the franchise records for goals (286), assists (496), points (782) and games played (804) since being drafted second overall in 2013.
"You never want to see him go down," forward Jesper Boqvist said.
The Panthers are set to open their season at home against the Chicago Blackhawks on October 7. The team and its fans are anxiously awaiting the update on Barkov's condition and hoping that their captain will be back on the ice soon.
