Bagging 22 points in 23 postseason games, Aleksander Barkov was undoubtedly one of the main driving forces behind the Panthers’ second-straight Stanley Cup win last season. Naturally, with the elusive three-peat on the table, Cats’ fans had hoped to see their beloved Finnish captain lead the charge into the history books. However, as fate would have it, Barky will need to remain on the sidelines for most of the season, and things are looking grim already.

Just a few hours ago, via a post on X, the official Florida Panthers’ social media handle confirmed that their 29-year-old center picked up an injury at practice and will be decommissioned off the ice for the foreseeable future. “Florida Panthers Captain Aleksander Barkov suffered injuries to his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and medial collateral ligament (MCL) at yesterday’s practice,” the post notes, before revealing that the Finn has already undergone a successful knee surgery at the Baptist Health Doctors Hospital.

But here’s the big blow: “The expected recovery timeline for these injuries is 7 to 9 months,” the social media update dropped the bomb on the fans. And with that, thoughts of a three-peat seem to be slipping away already. Quite a tough pill to swallow, no doubt. After all, the top brass of the South Miami team have often made it a point to laud Barkov publicly for his incredible contributions to the team, both on and off the ice. “The core of this group is a function of our best players, our stars, and it starts with Sasha […] how caring he is as a human and a teammate and how it forces you to be better. It starts with him; I think he makes you want to be a better teammate and person,” said the Panthers GM, Bill Zito, about the Finnish national’s quiet leadership role earlier this year.

Thanks to his incredible way of leading the charge from the front, Barkov won the 2025 King Clancy Memorial Trophy. Impressed yet? But Sasha’s resume doesn’t end there! Keeping pace with his contributions to the Panthers’ blueline last season, the team captain also bagged the prestigious J. Selke Trophy, his third reception of the award. Obviously, his absence from the players’ sitting area this season will hit hard, and head coach Paul Maurice isn’t sure who can carry the team in Barkov’s stead.

“There’s no hiding it – that’s the big man. He’s such an important place in that locker room…I know there’s the idea of next man up, I get all that, but there’s not a next man for his skates,” said Maurice about how Sasha’s injuries could turn out to be potentially disastrous for the team. “I think it was pretty tough for the whole team, to be honest…Obviously, not having Barky in the lineup means everybody else needs to step up to fill his shoes, so as a team that’s going to be our challenge and that’s going to be our goal this year,” remarked star forward Anton Lundell about how the captain’s situation will need the Panthers to step-up their game if they hope to retain the Lord Stanley in Florida.

The news came as such a shock that even the Cats’ foes seemed to be reeling from it. “That’s probably gonna do it for the three peat I hate the panthers but they should at least get a shot at history,” one hockey connoisseur felt the anguish as much as the reigning NHL champs. Soon, more wailing fans emerged from the shadows to note their anguish as well.

Fans lament Aleksander Barkov’s imminent sidelining

As things stand, Barkov might also not be able to represent and lead Finland at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics next year. At the 2014 Sochi Olympics, Sasha played for his country, but he will miss the chance to do so in February 2026. However, first things first, and NHL fans just can’t get over how the league will take place without one of its most emphatic stars this season. “The team still has a lot of talent, but it’s going to be an uphill battle to make the Playoffs. Making the Playoffs would be a successful season now,” one fan grumbled about how the three-peat dreams can take the backseat for now.

What’s more, Aleksander Barkov isn’t the only Panthers star whose injury news came to light. In August, it was revealed by Zito that star forward Matthew Tkachuk would miss the start of the season thanks to a lower-body injury. With both Chucky and Barky out, things are obviously looking pretty disheartening for the Florida loyalists right now. “Hot take: Without Tkachuk and Barkov, the Panthers don’t make the playoffs,” one hockey fan seemed to make their case against the previous optimist. But the situation also provides the Cats’ foes with a chuckle.

“Always tough seeing injuries… but with Barkov & Tkachuk sidelined long-term, I think the #Sens are locked into finishing 2nd or 3rd in the Atlantic,” one Ottawa fan wouldn’t mind seeing their favorite team capitalize at the Panthers’ expense. While Maurice tries to keep his chin up amidst the chaos, Panthers fans don’t seem to share his outlook, either. “The Atlantic is gonna be a free-for-all & the season hasn’t even started yet,” one fan reminds how a tough uphill climb stares the Panthers.

Do you also think Aleksander Barkov’s injury could be the game-changer for the champs? Or do you see others stepping up to make up for that? Drop a comment to let us know!