FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Florida Panthers captain Aleksander “Sasha” Barkov announced that Sasha Barkov is expected to be out 7 to 9 months following knee surgery to his ACL and MCL after suffering a right knee injury during training camp on Thursday.
Florida Panthers head coach Paul Maurice confirmed that Barkov had knee surgery on Friday morning and will know more on how much time he is expected to miss when it concludes.
“There’s not a next man for Barky’s skates”
— Kacy Hintz (@KacyHintz) September 26, 2025
Barkov is in surgery right now and they will be able to know the full scope when he is out. But Maurice says it is a knee injury
A Local 10 News crew was at the scene as Barkov required help leaving the ice at the Baptist Health IcePlex in Fort Lauderdale after going down during an early-practice offensive zone drill, which marked the first full workout for several Panthers regulars, including Sam Reinhart, Sergei Bobrovsky, Aaron Ekblad and Brad Marchand.
The 30-year-old captain appeared to be favoring his right leg as two trainers assisted him off the ice. He did not return for the remainder of practice.
The injury comes just weeks before Florida opens defense of its second consecutive Stanley Cup.
Florida continues its preseason schedule Monday night at home against the Carolina Hurricanes. The team has not disclosed details about the nature of Barkov’s injury.
Florida Panthers statement
Florida Panthers Captain Aleksander Barkov suffered injuries to his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and medial collateral ligament (MCL) at yesterday’s practice.
Today, he underwent successful surgery by Dr. John Uribe at Baptist Health Doctors Hospital. He will be re-evaluated on an ongoing basis.
The expected recovery timeline for these injuries is 7 to 9 months.
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