Barkov underwent surgery to repair ACL and MCL injuries in late September and has been on the road to recovery ever since. He has been skating for the past several weeks and has been a more regular participant at practice lately. That said, with the Panthers effective out of playoff contention, he will officially be sidelined for the remainder of the season.
Barkov underwent surgery to repair ACL and MCL injuries in late September and has been on the road to recovery ever since. He has been skating for the past several weeks, but made his debut at practice on Tuesday. Although he was in a non-contact jersey, his presence at practice is an encouraging sign that he could be targeting a return to play during the regular season or, at the very least, in the playoffs if his team can accommodate him with a late-season rally.
Barkov suffered injuries to his ACL and MCL in Thursday's practice and underwent surgery on Friday. According to the team, the expected recovery timeline for these injuries is 7-to-9 months, meaning he will be sidelined until at least late April. In other words, Barkov is expected to miss the entire regular season and won't be ready until Round 1 of the playoffs, at the earliest.
Already without Matthew Tkachuk for the first few months of the season, the Panthers suffered another significant loss on Friday with the announcement that Barkov's entire season could be in jeopardy. The 30-year-old Barkov has averaged over a point per game in each of his last five seasons, including 71 points (20G / 51A) in 2024-25.
Barkov left Florida's practice on Thursday with an apparent leg injury and is being further evaluated by the Panthers' training staff. Head Coach Paul Maurice stated that the team should have news on the team's captain by Friday. The 30-year-old is entering his 13th NHL season after finishing 2024-25 above a point-per-game for the 5th straight year with 20 goals and 71 points in 67 games.
Barkov exited Thursday's game in the third period after receiving an unsuspecting hit from Tampa Bay's Brandon Hagel. Hagel was issued a five-minute major penalty for interference and is scheduled to have a hearing with the NHL's Department of Player Safety. The 29-year-old Barkov has three points (0G / 3A) through two playoff games and his status for Game 3 is uncertain.
With the Panthers being locked into the third spot in the Atlantic Division's standings, the team is most likely just giving Barkov the night off for Tuesday's regular season finale. Sam Reinhart and Anton Lundell will also join Barkov in the press box on Tuesday.
Barkov spent Saturday's win vs. Buffalo in the press box for rest-related purposes but is expected to draw back into the Panthers' lineup on Monday vs. New York. The 29-year-old has found himself in and out of Florida's lineup throughout the season but has still posted a productive 20 goals, and 69 points in 66 games played this season.
Barkov has not played since April 1st due to an upper-body injury but he will draw back into the lineup on Tuesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 29-year-old Barkov has 67 points (19G / 48A), in 64 games this season.
Barkov was a surprise scratch before Wednesday's game against the Toronto Maple Leafs, and will remain sidelined on Saturday against the Ottawa Senators due to an upper-body injury. Head coach Paul Maurice told reporters post-game on Wednesday that he doesn't think "it's a long-term thing.
Barkov was scratched from Wednesday's game in Toronto with an upper-body injury. Head coach Paul Maurice told reporters post-game that he doesn't think "it's a long-term thing." Consider Barkov questionable to play Saturday in Ottawa.
Barkov was a surprise scratch on Wednesday, with the team not announcing his absence prior to warmups. The Panthers captain did leave Tuesday's game in Montreal due to an undisclosed injury but was able to return. Jonah Gadjovich will draw into the lineup in his place.
Barkov was a late scratch on Saturday due to an illness, and missed a second straight game on Monday. The Panthers will be without Sam Bennett (illness) on Wednesday so Barkov's return could not come at a better time. He has 29 points (9G / 20A) in 22 games this season.
Barkov was a late scratch on Saturday due to an illness, and missed a second straight game on Monday. The Panthers will be without Sam Bennett (illness) on Wednesday and can ill-afford to be without Barkov's production again. He has 29 points (9G / 20A) in 22 games this season.
Barkov was a late scratch on Saturday due to an illness, and will miss a second straight game on Monday against the Edmonton Oilers. The Panthers have been shutout in two straight games and can ill-afford to be without Barkov's production again. He has 29 points (9G / 20A) in 22 games this season.
Barkov was a late scratch on Saturday due to an illness, and could miss a second straight game on Monday against the Edmonton Oilers. The Panthers have been shutout in two straight games and can ill-afford to be without Barkov's production again. He has 29 points (9G / 20A) in 22 games this season.
