Where is Aleksander Barkov, and how long will the Florida Panthers be without their Captain after his injury?

Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov suffered a severe knee injury during a preseason drill, tearing his ACL and MCL. The star player will require surgery and is expected to be sidelined for seven to nine months, significantly impacting the team’s quest for a three-peat and jeopardizing his participation in the 2026 Winter Olympics. This setback forces immediate roster adjustments.