The Florida Panthers missed the playoffs last season while they were missing one of their top players. Aleksander Barkov, the Panthers' long-time captain and a top line forward, missed all of 2025-26 with a torn ACL suffered in the preseason. The Finn worked hard to come back this season, but his comeback lasted less than two full games. Barkov was placed on long-term IR due to an injury suffered against the San Jose Sharks in the second game of the season.

The injury, which occurred when he fell awkwardly along the boards, was to his left leg. The ACL tear last season was to the right leg. Now, a timeline for the return of Barkov is starting to become clear, according to Armando Velez of Locked on Panthers.

“Just been told that Aleksander Barkov’s injury will sideline him in the range of 10-12 weeks. That timeline would have him returning around Christmas/New Years,” Velez posted on X, formerly Twitter.

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The Panthers opened the season visiting the defending Stanley Cup Champion Carolina Hurricanes. It was opening night for the NHL as the Hurricanes raised their championship banner. Florida took a 1-0 overtime win in the game as Barkov played 20:32 and had one shot. He played 9:15 against San Jose in the second game of the season, also with one shot, before going down with an injury. The Panthers went on to lose that game in overtime. Florida also lost in overtime in their third game of the season to the Anaheim Ducks.

Barkov, who was the second overall pick of the 2013 NHL Draft by the Panthers, has played in 806 regular-season games with the franchise. In that time, he has scored 286 goals and added 496 assists. He also scored 20 or more goals in ten straight seasons before missing the 2025-26 campaign.

The 1-0-2 Panthers return to the ice on Tuesday night against the Los Angeles Kings. They will then head home for the first time this year to host the Minnesota Wild on Saturday.