Aleksander Barkov's Return Has the Cup-Contending Florida Panthers Smiling Entering the Season
Barkov’s return gives Florida a captain who drove 722 points, 485 hits and 463 blocked shots over his last 10 seasons.
- After missing last season with ACL and MCL tears, Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov returns for the team's season opener. His comeback restores Stanley Cup contention hopes after the Panthers missed the playoffs without him.
- Barkov tore his ACL and MCL just 20 minutes into training camp last season, forcing him to miss the entire year. Florida won only 17 road games without him, underscoring his massive on-ice impact.
- Defenseman Aaron Ekblad expressed excitement, saying, "I'm so excited" to play with him again. Forward Matthew Tkachuk added, "Anytime you can add a top three player in the world, that's definitely a good thing."
- Coach Paul Maurice relies heavily on Barkov for strategy, joking, "All I've got to do is put Barky on the ice." Teammates also noted Barkov appears noticeably cheerier, more appreciative of playing after his year away.
- Over his recent 10 seasons, Barkov recorded 722 points, 485 hits, and 463 blocked shots—statistics matched by only Auston Matthews and Mark Scheifele among NHL players. His elite consistency positions Florida to contend for hockey's biggest prize.
18 Articles
18 Articles
The Toronto Star
Aleksander Barkov’s return has the Cup-contending Florida Panthers smiling entering the season
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — The Florida Panthers have noticed a change in Aleksander Barkov, a clear indicator that he is not the same since getting hurt a year ago and having to miss last season.
Post Register
Aleksander Barkov's return has the Cup-contending Florida Panthers smiling entering the season
Aleksander Barkov says not being able to play for the Florida Panthers last season has given him a new perspective. And his teammates say they even see him smiling more. Florida's captain missed the entirety of last season with a…
Gameday 1: Florida Panthers at Carolina Hurricanes
The Florida Panthers are in Raleigh to open the 2026-27 regular season against the defending Stanley Cup champions, the Carolina Hurricanes. The team is healthy again (except for Jonah Gadjovich), captain Aleskander Barkov is back after working the rust off with a successful turn at the World Championship, prize acquisition Brady Tkachuk will play his first game as a Cat, and returning goalkeeper Jacob Markstrom will be between the pipes instead…
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