Florida Panthers lose star captain Aleksander Barkov to knee injury indefinitely
- Florida Panthers center Aleksander Barkov underwent knee surgery and is out indefinitely.
- The team is already missing key players like Matthew Tkachuk and Tomas Nosek due to prior injuries.
- The loss of Barkov is seen as a significant blow to the team's chances this season.
On September 26, 2025, in Colorado, the Florida Panthers announced that their captain, Aleksander Barkov, underwent knee surgery following an injury sustained during practice. The injury occurred on September 25, when Barkov left the ice due to apparent pain in his right knee. Coach Paul Maurice confirmed the surgery but stated that the team would provide updates once surgery concluded, highlighting their commitment to transparency regarding the player's status. This injury comes at a critical time for the Panthers, as they are preparing for the regular season and had already been managing the absence of forward Matthew Tkachuk and center Tomas Nosek, who were out due to previous surgeries. Both players' injuries, particularly Tkachuk's, were serious, leaving the team with significant gaps in their roster. Maurice expressed the impact of losing Barkov, emphasizing his vital role not just on the ice but also in the locker room for his leadership qualities. He remarked that filling the void left by Barkov would be challenging, suggesting that the Panthers may need to share responsibilities among the players and coaches while adjusting to the loss of Barkov's contributions, which included leading the Panthers with 51 assists in the previous season. As the team gears up for their upcoming games, the loss of their captain raises concerns about their competitiveness in the league, especially with their regular-season opener scheduled against the Chicago Blackhawks on October 7, 2025. The situation is dire for the Panthers as they navigate these injuries, which could potentially hinder their efforts in the upcoming season.