The largest shock to Florida Panthers got here earlier than the beginning of 2025-26 season, with captain Aleksander Barkov getting injured. Now, he’ll miss seven to 9 months after knee surgical procedure on his ACL and MCL. This was a serious setback to their dream of a Stanley Cup hat trick after successful championships in 2024 and 2025.
Contemplating Barkov’s return timeline, he’ll doubtless miss the whole common season. His absence leaves a giant gap on the middle place for the Panthers. Now, due to Barkov’s damage, commerce rumors have began to develop round Evgeni Malkin of the Pittsburgh Penguins.
ESPN Hockey’s Greg Wyshynski talked about Panthers-Malkin rumors on Halford & Brough within the morning podcast. He mentioned there’s a rising perception that Malkin might change into the Panthers’ new first-line middle.
“The rising narrative within the league proper now with Barkov going out and Malkin having a home in Miami, that they will in all probability discover a approach for him to be the 1C in Florida earlier than too lengthy,” Wyshynski mentioned.
Malkin owns a home in Miami and spent a lot of his offseason there (near 4 months). Beforehand, Insider Frank Seravalli additionally mentioned a commerce can be match for either side.
“Is he keen to just accept a commerce someplace?” Seravalli mentioned. “I must assume that the Florida Panthers can be on that listing, … as a result of Evgeni Malkin makes his offseason house within the Miami space. So he’s close by, and that might be a really robust match.”
Malkin’s present contract contains commerce safety, however a transfer might nonetheless occur if he approves.
Panthers’ issues amid Aleksander Barkov’s absence
The Panthers opened their season at house in opposition to the Chicago Blackhawks on October 7. And regardless of the absence of their captain, Aleksander Barkov, and ahead Matthew Tkachuk, they secured a 3-2 win. They’ve proven their spirit precisely the best way coach Paul Maurice anticipated.
“There’s no hiding it, that’s a gap,” Maurice mentioned after Barkov’s damage in late September, by way of NHL.com, “That’s the massive man, proper? [Barkov] has such an essential place in that locker room… there’s not a subsequent man for ‘Barky’s’ skates. So, we have simply bought to share it.”
Nevertheless, the Blackhawks are a rebuilding staff, and successful in opposition to them is comparatively straightforward in comparison with groups just like the Ottawa Senators, New Jersey Devils, and Vegas Golden Knights.
So, the administration must maintain exploring choices. Florida wants assist at middle, and Malkin’s expertise would assist fill Aleksander Barkov’s function.
Edited by Ankit Kumar
