Barkov's injury timeline revealed: 10-12 weeks, return around New Year

Aleksander Barkov will be sidelined 10-12 weeks with the injury he suffered in the Panthers' second game of the season, per 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.

The timeline points to a return around the holiday stretch, but the exact nature of the injury beyond it being to his left leg has not been confirmed.

Barkov was placed on long-term IR after going down against the San Jose Sharks. The injury occurred when he fell awkwardly along the boards.

The setback is a fresh blow for the Panthers captain, whose comeback this season lasted less than two full games. He played 20:32 with one shot in the season opener against Carolina, then logged just 9:15 with one shot against San Jose before the injury ended his night.

Florida went on to lose that game in overtime, and Barkov's absence now has a defined window — one that keeps him out of the lineup into the new year.

INJURY DETAILS

Barkov's comeback this season lasted less than two full games. He played 20:32 with one shot in the season opener against Carolina, a 1-0 overtime win, then logged just 9:15 with one shot against San Jose before the injury ended his night.

Florida went on to lose that game in overtime. The specific diagnosis of the left leg injury has not been confirmed, though it occurred when he fell awkwardly along the boards.

The setback is particularly painful given what Barkov just endured. He missed all of 2025-26 with a torn ACL in his right leg, suffered in the preseason. That was the right leg. This injury is to the left.