Panthers’ Aleksander Barkov likely out a few weeks due to lower-body injury

Florida Panthers coach Paul Maurice said Saturday that center Aleksander Barkov will be out two to three weeks due to a lower-body injury.

Maurice, who was speaking with the media before Saturday nights game at the Buffalo Sabres, added that the team is optimistic Barkov, who was born in Tampere, Finland, will return prior to the 2024 NHL Global Series Finland presented by Fastenal, when the Panthers play the Dallas Stars in Tampere on Nov.

1-2.

The teams captain left Thursdays loss to the Ottawa Senators with 1:10 remaining after crashing into the end boards.

Barkov was trying to prevent an empty-net goal when he got hurt, giving chase toward a loose puck that Ottawas Tim Stutzle tapped into the net to seal the Senators 3-1 win.

Stutzle and Barkov got tangled up and the Florida forward at basically full speed crashed feet-first into the end boards, immediately grimacing in pain.

Barkov needed about a minute before he could get to his feet, then needed help from teammates Evan Rodrigues and Uvis Balinskis to get off the ice and get to the Florida locker room for evaluation.

It appeared that Barkov could put no weight on his right leg, which he flexed a couple of times as he made his way off the ice.

The 29-year-old Barkov the reigning Selke Trophy winner as the NHLs best defensive forward is in his 12th season, all with the Panthers.

He was the first Finnish-born player to be the captain of a Stanley Cup champion when Florida topped Edmonton for last seasons title.

Barkov is the Panthers career leader in a number of categories, including goals (266), assists (446), points (712) and game-winning goals (48).

Information from the Associated Press contributed to the report..

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