The Florida Panthers have been without captain Aleksander Barkov and key veteran Brad Marchand for most of the 2026-27 season — but the pair are making great progress in their recovery, head coach Paul Maurice relayed on Tuesday.

Both players skated with the Panthers for the first time since sustaining their respective injuries and could return to the lineup within two weeks.

“[Barkov] is six weeks on Thursday; [Marchand] slightly under six weeks,” Maurice told reporters, including Panthers writer Rob Darragh. “(Doctors) said somewhere between six and eight weeks. So, I think we're within two weeks of getting those guys back.”

Barkov and Marchand's returns will be a boon for a Florida team that has so far been inconsistent in 2026-27, sitting at 9-7-2 and in fifth place in the Atlantic Division through 18 games.

“It gives everybody a lift to see those guys on the ice,” said Panthers defenseman Seth Jones, per NHL.com.

After missing all of last season with a right knee injury, Barkov injured his left knee just two games into the Panthers' new campaign. He was excellent in 2024-25, amassing 20 goals and 71 points in 67 games before adding another 22 points in 23 Stanley Cup Playoff games as Florida won a second consecutive championship.

The former No. 2 overall selection in the 2013 NHL Draft has won three Selke Trophies and captained the Panthers to back-to-back titles in 2024 and 2025.

Marchand was also terrific in the 2025 run, appearing in 23 playoff contests after being acquired in a trade deadline swap with the Boston Bruins. He amassed 10 goals and 20 points and was a contender for the Conn Smythe Trophy, which ultimately went to Sam Bennett.

The Nova Scotia native battled injuries last season but still managed 54 points in 52 games before being shut down after the Panthers were eliminated from playoff contention.

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This season, the 38-year-old suffered a leg injury during a 2-1 win over the Los Angeles Kings on Oct. 6. He had managed a goal in two games before the ailment.

Once healthy, Barkov and Marchand will both slot into top-six roles as the franchise looks to right the ship and return to the top of the Atlantic Division between now and April.

The Panthers have lost two consecutive games — both on the road — and will look to salvage two points against the Columbus Blue Jackets in the finale of the three-game trip on Tuesday night.