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Panthers' Aleksander Barkov expected to miss entire 2025-26 NHL season: Gruesome update

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Julien Trekker
September 25, 2025 (11:51)

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The Florida Panthers' captain Aleksander Barkov went down with a concerning injury at practice ahead of their season opener against the Chicago Blackhawks.

The Chicago Blackhawks will face a significant challenge for their first game of the season as they're set to face the back-to-back Stanley Cup champions, the Florida Panthers.

However, the game is now altered by season-ending injury news.

Barkov expected to miss entire 2025-26 season

"Captain Sasha Barkov is expected to be sidelined for the ENTIRE 25-26 season after sustaining a major knee injury during practice yesterday, per Andy Slater.

He is currently undergoing surgery and the team hopes to have a detailed update later today.

@friedgehnic also reported the team is bracing for the possibility of him being «lost for the season.»

Barkov was forced to leave the ice on Thursday, after he injured his knee.

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Head coach Paul Maurice shared an update on Thursday, and truly believed he would be okay.

"It's beyond our control. We have to learn to win hockey games without good players. If that's the adversity or the test that we face this year, then that's what we're going to do.

I'm not a doctor, so whatever the report is won't affect how we handle the next days.

If he's not in the lineup on Opening Night or if he misses an exhibition game or if he's out long-term, it's just not gonna affect that day.

We've gotta win hockey games. We've gotta prep for it. That's all."

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The Panthers also announced earlier in the offseason that Matthew Tkachuk is expected to remain sidelined until December after dealing with an injury.

With Tkachuk and Barkov out of the lineup, it'll be interesting to see how the Panthers perform at the start of the season, including in the first game against the Chicago Blackhawks.

The 30-year-old veteran is missing his 13th NHL season, the eighth as captain.

He already owns several franchise records with 804 career games played, 286 goals, 496 assists, 782 points, 84 power-play goals, and 52 game-winning goals.

He also won three Selke Trophies as the NHL's top defensive forward.

This leaves a massive hole in the lineup that would be very hard to replace.

Stay tuned for further updates on his health.

Previously on Chicago Hockey Insider

Chicago Blackhawks acquire an elite Russian goal scorer in Nashville: Kyle Davidson's a genius

Pittsburgh Penguins and Chicago Blackhawks become suggested trade partners after a challenging injury arises

Terrible news for Milan Lucic quickly into tenure with the St. Louis Blues

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SEPTEMBRE 25 \| 219 ANSWERS Panthers' Aleksander Barkov expected to miss entire 2025-26 NHL season: Gruesome update Do you think the Panthers will finish at the top of their division this year?
Yes	80	36.5 %
No	139	63.5 %
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Panthers' Aleksander Barkov expected to miss entire 2025-26 NHL season: Gruesome update

The Florida Panthers' captain Aleksander Barkov went down with a concerning injury at practice ahead of their season opener against the Chicago Blackhawks.

Barkov expected to miss entire 2025-26 season

Do you think the Panthers will finish at the top of their division this year?