#aleksander-barkov

#aleksander-barkov

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Florida captain Aleksander Barkov needed surgery Friday to repair the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in his right knee, injuries that will likely sideline him for the entire regular season and potentially the playoffs as the Panthers try to win a third consecutive Stanley Cup. Barkov got hurt Thursday in his first official practice of training camp. He had surgery Friday and the Panthers said the typical timetable for recovery from such a procedure is 7-9 months.

Aleskander Barkov ranked 4th and Sam Bennett ranked 20th on NHL Network's countdown of the Top 20 centers right now. Three-time Frank J. Selke Trophy winner, two-time NHL All-Star, two-time Stanley Cup champion, Lady Byng Memorial Trophy recipient and King Clancy Memorial Trophy winner, Barkov, earned the fourth spot following a dominant 2024-2025 season, finishing one spot ahead of the Pittsburgh Penguins' Sidney Crosby and one spot behind the Edmonton Oilers' Leon Draisaitl.