The Florida Panthers placed captain Aleksander Barkov on long-term injured reserve Saturday.
The move means Barkov will be sidelined at least the next 10 games as he nurses a left leg injury.
ESPN reported the Panthers remain optimistic that Barkov’s injury is not season-ending.
Barkov was injured during the second period of Florida’s 4-3 overtime loss to the San Jose Sharks on Thursday. He was vying for the puck along the boards when he was pushed by Sharks defenseman Darnell Nurse, causing Barkov to fall to the ice with his knee in an awkward angle.
Barkov remained on the ice for several moments before retreating to the locker room.
He was playing in his second game this season after missing the entire 2025-26 campaign due to torn ligaments in his right knee.
Barkov, 31, is a two-time Stanley Cup winner and a three-time Selke Trophy recipient (2021, 2024, 2025) as the NHL’s best defensive forward.
He boasts franchise records for goals (286), assists (496), points (782) and games played (806) since being selected with the second overall pick of the 2013 NHL Draft.
