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BOCA RATON, Fla. (AP) — Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov is aiming to be back in the lineup by late November, and forward Brad Marchand could also return around that time, according to a person with knowledge of the situation.
Marchand's leg injury will keep him out for only a few weeks, the person told The Associated Press on Thursday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the team has not disclosed any specifics about Marchand's injury.
Both players were injured during Florida's season-opening four-game road trip. Barkov, who sat out all of last season due to serious injuries to his right knee, appeared to hurt his left knee in the second game at San Jose on Oct. 1. Marchand, who did not play in the first two games, seemed to injure his left leg in the trip finale at Los Angeles on Tuesday.
"I promise I'll be back in the Panthers uniform very soon," Barkov said Thursday, speaking publicly for the first time since his injury.
In both cases, the Panthers seem to have avoided worst-case scenarios. Florida won back-to-back Stanley Cup titles in 2024 and 2025, then missed the playoffs last season after numerous players — including Barkov and Marchand — were sidelined by injuries. Watching Barkov limp off the ice one night and Marchand needing help off the ice a few nights later brought back painful memories from a year ago.
"Last year was tough, so my first thought was, 'Do I have to go through that again?'" Barkov said. "I just started playing, just starting to be with the team and did this happen again? But then, obviously, really good news came pretty soon after that. Knowing I have a good team behind me — doctors, physios — they're going to take good care of me."
Barkov plans to meet with the Panthers as early as Friday to develop a concise return-to-play plan, including setting a target for when he can resume skating.
"I've received really good news," Barkov said. "Really happy about that. They said I'm taking my annual vacation. That's OK."
Barkov was appearing at a rink in Boca Raton, Florida — the city he has called home since joining the Panthers. He is close with his neighbors, many of whom attended a ceremony Thursday where he received the honorary key to the city. Some of them got 5 a.m. knocks on their door on the mornings after the Panthers won the Cup, with Barkov offering them a chance to drink from hockey's greatest trophy.
"It's just a perfect place for me to live," Barkov said. "Once I cross that border, Fort Lauderdale-Boca, I just feel like I get a rest from hockey, can unwind from it, don't think too much about it and just be with my family. It's just perfect."
Key Analysis
The Panthers are hopeful that Barkov and Marchand will return sooner rather than later, providing a significant boost to a team that has struggled with injuries in recent seasons. Barkov's leadership and two-way play are critical to Florida's success, while Marchand's scoring touch and agitating style add another dimension. If both can come back healthy, the Panthers could quickly re-establish themselves as contenders in the Eastern Conference.
Originally reported by wsvn.