Many players are important, some even indispensable. But Aleksander Barkov is that rare, irreplaceable player who the Florida Panthers look like they’ll somehow have to replace.

The Panthers captain underwent surgery for a knee injury suffered after a common collision on his first practice Thursday had an uncommon outcome. The Panthers announced Friday night that he damaged his ACL (and MCL) and he’ll likely miss all of the 2025-26 season that hasn’t even begun.

So, the Panthers run for a third straight Stanley Cup has started in the worst of ways. Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk, their opposite-styled leaders and central core, won’t be around when the puck drops on the season next month.

Cobbling together a few months without Tkachuk is one thing given the depth and talent on the Panthers.

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