Barkov missed the entire 2025-26 season after undergoing surgery to repair ACL and MCL injuries. After a strenuous recovery, the 31-year-old Barkov was ready to return as an elite offensive producer, but he returned to the sidelines after suffering a lower-body injury in the second game of the season. Fortunately for Barkov, the injuries are unrelated, but he is still expected to miss about two months of hockey.


