The Florida Panthers are facing their toughest challenge yet as they chase a third consecutive Stanley Cup title, but this time, they’ll have to do it without their captain and heart-and-soul, Aleksander Barkov. The team announced on September 26, 2025, that Barkov underwent surgery to repair the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and medial collateral ligament (MCL) in his right knee. The injury, suffered just 20 minutes into his first official practice of training camp, is expected to keep him sidelined for seven to nine months—effectively ruling him out for the entire 2025-26 NHL regular season and, in all likelihood, the playoffs as well.
Barkov’s absence is a seismic blow, not just for Florida but for the entire hockey world. The Finnish center, who led the Panthers in assists last season with 51 and was second in points with 71, has been a model of consistency and durability, appearing in more than 86% of all Florida games—including playoffs—over his 12 NHL seasons. This marks the first time he’s faced an injury that will keep him out for an entire season. The timing couldn’t be worse, as Barkov was also set to captain Finland at the upcoming Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics in February 2026—a dream now dashed by the knee injury.
“He’s such an important person in that locker room,” Panthers coach Paul Maurice said after the news broke. “I think what we’re going to get to experience now is you’ll get to know some of the other leaders that we have in our room.” Maurice added, “I know the idea is next man up. There’s not a next man for Barky’s skates.” That sentiment was echoed by forward Carter Verhaeghe, who remarked, “He’s our leader—there’s no replacing Barky. Everyone has to step up. There’s no replacing him, but it’s another challenge for our group. And we’re usually pretty good at overcoming challenges.”
The Panthers’ leadership and depth will be tested like never before. Not only is Barkov out, but fellow star forward Matthew Tkachuk is also sidelined, recovering from offseason surgery to repair a torn adductor muscle. There’s no formal timeline for Tkachuk’s return, but it’s unlikely he’ll hit the ice before December 2025. Tomas Nosek, a key contributor during last season’s Cup run, is expected to miss considerable time with a knee injury as well. Since Tkachuk joined the Panthers in 2022, the team has played only five games without either him or Barkov, winning three of those contests—a small sample size, but one that gives a glimmer of hope.
The implications of Barkov’s injury extend beyond the ice. NHL analyst Elliotte Friedman highlighted the Panthers’ salary cap dilemma, noting that under the new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) rules, Florida can only gain the full $10 million cap relief for Barkov if they officially declare him out for both the regular season and playoffs. “The timeline’s going to be pretty close right,” Friedman said. “We’ll see about the season. The timeline that Florida said is 7 to 9 months, and we’ll find out here at some point—do the Panthers go through the process or do they declare him out at some point for the regular season and the playoffs?”
Friedman also underscored Barkov’s stature across the league: “Just seeing the reaction…he’s a really popular teammate, obviously, like those guys love him, but he’s also a hugely respected opponent. I agree with you, I think it stinks…Bill Zito’s quotes where it was devastating, and it is devastating because you want to see him get a chance to compete with Finland at the Olympics.”
Despite the adversity, analysts aren’t writing off the Panthers. “I think those people are nuts. I think this team is more than good enough to make the playoffs, no problem, even without Barkov for the regular season at least…It probably makes Evan Rodrigues even more important,” Friedman stated. The big question now is who will step up to fill Barkov’s massive skates. Sam Reinhart, who logged 817 minutes with Barkov last season and just 126 minutes without him, will be thrust into a starring role. While Reinhart’s numbers dipped without Barkov, his defensive work remained strong, and he’ll be expected to carry a heavier offensive load.
Brad Marchand, acquired to bolster the top six, could find himself on a line with Anton Lundell and Eetu Luostarinen—two players who thrived in third-line minutes during the playoffs. Sam Bennett, usually a second-line center, may be elevated to the top line alongside Reinhart. The Panthers will need Bennett to replicate his playoff heroics over the course of the regular season—a tall order, but one that could be the difference between another playoff run and an early summer.
Goaltending will also be under the microscope. Sergei Bobrovsky, now 37, has built his reputation on playoff performances, but with the team’s offensive firepower diminished, he’ll need to be sharp throughout the regular season. Last year, Bobrovsky’s 8.96 goals saved above expected (GSAx) ranked just 26th in the league. The Panthers’ depth in net is a concern, with Spencer Knight and Daniil Tarasov both unproven as reliable backups.
On the blue line, Florida remains formidable. Gustav Forsling, Aaron Ekblad, and Seth Jones anchor a defensive corps that’s among the league’s best. Jones, acquired in a blockbuster trade, was a defensive force during the playoffs and could be poised for a breakout season. Niko Mikkola and Dmitry Kulikov provide solid depth, while Jeff Petry fills a key role on the third pair.
Offensively, the pressure is on Carter Verhaeghe to bounce back from a down year, and for young talents like Mackie Samoskevich and Eetu Luostarinen to emerge as reliable contributors. Samoskevich, in particular, showed flashes of brilliance in his rookie season and could be a wild card for the Panthers’ attack.
Yet, for all their depth, the Panthers’ margin for error is razor-thin. The team’s fourth line, featuring Jesper Boqvist, Tomas Nosek, and Luke Kunin, is projected to be among the league’s weakest. If injuries or slumps hit the top nine, Florida’s path to the playoffs could become perilous.
Projections for the Panthers have taken a hit, with some models placing them seventh in the Atlantic Division at 101.5 points—a far cry from the dominance of recent years. The best-case scenario sees Florida defying the odds and cementing their legacy as a dynasty. The worst case? Age, injuries, and the grind of three straight deep playoff runs catch up to them, and the Panthers miss the postseason entirely.
As the puck drops on the new season, one thing is certain: the road to a three-peat just got a whole lot steeper. But if there’s any team built to weather adversity, it’s the Florida Panthers. The coming months will reveal whether their depth and resilience are enough to keep their championship dreams alive.
