Panthers Announce Aleksander Barkov Injury Update Before Senators Game

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Panthers Announce Aleksander Barkov Injury Update Before Senators Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Mar 31, 2026 11:51 AM ET

The Florida Panthers are navigating the final stretch of the season virtually eliminated from postseason contention, sitting 15 points outside the wild-card places with a 35-35-3 record.

Team captain Aleksander Barkov returned to the ice to practice at the start of March, joining the rest of his teammates and creating some buzz and speculation about a possible late-season return.

That possibility, however, ended Sunday.

Head coach Paul Maurice confirmed the worst-case scenario, announcing that Barkov would not play again this season. The coach made it clear that Florida will prioritize a full recovery over any late return attempt in what is effectively a lost season.

Florida Panthers forward Aleksander Barkov (16) skates between plays.Jim Rassol-Imagn Images

“I don’t think [he will return this season]. Not in this situation,” Maurice said, per Florida Hockey Now's George Richards. “They give you a two-month window on these knee injuries. He will get inside that two-month window, but why would we? We’ll take the whole two months before he plays a hockey game again.

“We wouldn’t want to—if it’s 6-8 [months] and we put him in at seven and something happens, that doesn’t make much sense. We’ll let him go straight through the entire rehab process.”

Barkov suffered ACL and MCL injuries on the first day of training camp in September and underwent surgery the following day.

❌Aleksander Barkov (lower-body) will remain out for the remainder of the 2025-26 season. #TimetoHunt https://t.co/Zbu1DMH0LX
— Daily Faceoff - Fantasy (@DFOFantasy) March 30, 2026

Barkov, 30, has not appeared in a game this season. He last played during the 2025 Stanley Cup Final, helping the Panthers secure their second consecutive championship.

Throughout his career, Barkov has scored 286 goals and provided 496 assists for 782 points in 804 career games, along with 81 points in 94 postseason games.

Barkov also won the Selke Trophy in each of the last two seasons and three times overall, and is considered one of the best defensive forwards in the NHL.

With Florida effectively eliminated from playoff contention, Barkov’s next appearance is expected to come next season. The Panthers, meanwhile, will take on the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday, with puck-drop set for 7 p.m. ET.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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