FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — The Florida Panthers’ practice facility brims with reminders of recent triumphs: images of Aleksander Barkov, captain’s “C” gleaming, hoisting the Stanley Cup not once, but twice. For a franchise that’s tasted back-to-back hockey glory, those snapshots are both a celebration and, at this moment, a challenge. The Panthers now face the daunting task of defending their NHL crown without their leader on the ice, as Barkov is sidelined with a devastating knee injury expected to keep him out for the next seven to nine months.
Just a week ago, the Panthers were the consensus favorite to make it a Stanley Cup three-peat. Now, with Barkov’s absence stretching across the entire 2025-2026 season—and likely the playoffs—the odds have shifted. According to BetMGM Sportsbook, Florida’s championship chances have slipped behind about a half-dozen other teams. The hockey world is suddenly doubting the champs. But don’t count this group out just yet.
“Look, you can’t replace this guy,” said Bill Zito, the Panthers’ president of hockey operations and general manager. “So, we have to do things differently. It’s just going to be different. And we’re going to have to figure out ways for all of us to be better, myself included. And it’s going to be a fight. It’s going to be a battle. We’re going to have to scratch and claw.”
Barkov’s value to the Panthers isn’t captured by simple stats. Sure, he’s never topped 10th in league scoring for a season, and he hasn’t led his own team in points since 2018-19. Last season, he finished tied for 41st on the NHL scoring list. But the Finnish star’s impact runs deeper. Since entering the league 12 years ago, Barkov ranks 17th in points, 31st in goals, and 16th in assists among all NHL players. More importantly, he sets the tone in the locker room and on the ice, with the “C” on his sweater signifying his role as the Panthers’ heartbeat.
“He’s the best two-way player in the game,” Panthers forward Brad Marchand said. “You’re not going to replace that guy.”
It’s not just his skill set that’s irreplaceable. Barkov’s leadership was recognized last season when he captured both the King Clancy Trophy, honoring leadership and humanitarian work, and the Selke Trophy, awarded to the NHL’s top defensive forward. When the game is on the line, his teammates look to No. 16 to deliver—whether it’s a timely goal, a crucial backcheck, or a calming word on the bench.
With Barkov out, the Panthers’ famed depth will be put to the ultimate test. Last postseason, 11 different Florida players netted game-winning goals—a mark that tied for the second-most by any team in NHL playoff history. That kind of widespread contribution will be more important than ever as the team navigates the choppy waters ahead.
And Barkov isn’t the only key Panther in the infirmary. Forward Matthew Tkachuk, another offensive dynamo, is likely out until at least December, while Tomas Nosek, a crucial fourth-line center during last year’s playoff run, is out indefinitely with a knee injury. The hits just keep coming for Florida’s lineup.
“There’s no easy games in this league and then losing Barkov makes it that much harder,” said defenseman Aaron Ekblad. “That’s something we’re going to have to embody, a day-by-day mindset—almost like the playoffs. Come in every day, do a job and do it together.”
The next-man-up mentality is more than just talk. Anton Lundell, often compared to a young Barkov by those inside the organization, is expected to step into the captain’s spot on the top line. Mackie Samoskevich, who has made noticeable strides since his rookie campaign, will be counted on for a bigger role. Versatile forward Evan Rodrigues, who’s played on all four lines over the last two seasons, will likely be Florida’s Swiss Army knife once again, shifting wherever needed.
Don’t forget Sam Reinhart, whose four-goal outburst in last season’s Stanley Cup-clinching Game 6 against Edmonton remains fresh in fans’ minds. Then there’s Sam Bennett, last year’s Conn Smythe Trophy winner, who will be asked to shoulder even more responsibility as the Panthers look to compensate for Barkov’s absence.
Panthers head coach Paul Maurice knows the road ahead won’t be easy, but he sees opportunity in adversity. “This is true in a number of players: they’re not 22 anymore, but they’re still trying to get better,” Maurice said. “They’re still trying to add things to their game. They’re coming to the rink to get better.”
While Barkov won’t be suiting up, he’ll remain a visible and vocal presence around the team. His leadership won’t vanish just because he’s not lacing up his skates. The Panthers are determined to channel his influence, even if it’s from the locker room instead of the ice.
Some pundits might see Barkov’s injury as the beginning of the end for Florida’s run. But inside the Panthers’ locker room, the mood is anything but defeatist. “I don’t think this group needs fuel,” Marchand insisted. “We know who we are. We know what our goals are and what we’re looking at doing this year. Looking down the road at winning the Stanley Cup is the last thing you want to do right now. There’s such a long road before that and there’s so many different things you need to overcome.”
Florida’s depth, resilience, and leadership are about to be tested in ways few defending champions have experienced. The Panthers’ odds may have taken a hit in the sportsbooks, but the team’s belief in itself hasn’t wavered. If anything, the adversity might just bring out the best in them.
With the NHL season looming and the Panthers’ roster in flux, all eyes will be on how this battle-tested group responds without its captain. The journey to a potential third straight Stanley Cup has grown steeper, but the fight inside this locker room is just getting started.
