The Florida Panthers are looking to make history this season.
Coming off back-to-back Stanley Cup championships, the Cats now have the opportunity to complete the trifecta and become the first team to win three straight cups since the New York Islanders won four in a row over 40 years ago.
It will be an unbelievably difficult task, particularly given all of the wear and tear the Panthers have endured over the last three years. Unfortunately for Florida, it appears to have already taken its toll before the season even begins, as captain Aleksander Barkov suffered a lower-body injury at practice on Thursday morning.
Team reporter David Dwork shared the news on X (formerly Twitter) and provided some more details in an article for The Hockey News.
"Florida Panthers captain Sasha Barkov needed help leaving the ice after suffering an apparent lower-body injury during a training camp practice. It happened Thursday morning during an early-practice offensive zone drill at the Baptist Health IcePlex in Fort Lauderdale. Barkov needed help from a pair of trainers to get off the ice and was not seen again during the remainder of the practice," Dwork wrote.
Panthers captain Sasha Barkov went down with an apparent lower-body injury during today’s practice in Fort Lauderdale. He needed help getting off the ice and did not return.
— David Dwork (@DavidDwork) September 25, 2025
Here’s what we know @TheHockeyNews ⬇️ https://t.co/1otLCWGGQO
The 30-year-old is about to enter the fourth season of the eight-year, $80 million contract extension he signed with the Panthers back in 2021.
Video of the injury
As the Florida Panthers hold their breath waiting to learn more about the severity of Aleksander Barkov's injury, video of the play that caused the ailment has circulated.
WPLG Local 10 News shared the clip on X.
Here's video of Panthers Captain Aleksander Barkov going down today at practice... https://t.co/g32uLiJzjk pic.twitter.com/QIAamOdqzd
— WPLG Local 10 News (@WPLGLocal10) September 25, 2025
Barkov is seen attempting to make a deke around Niko Mikkola before somewhat losing his balance and colliding with the big blueliner. He then needed help getting off the ice.
Head coach Paul Maurice revealed that the superstar center is still being evaluated, and they should have more clarity on his status by Friday.
It's a situation that should be closely monitored, as there aren't many more important players to their team than Aleksander Barkov is to the Florida Panthers.