Panthers Place Aleksander Barkov On LTIR
NHL Rumors - ProHockeyRumors.com • • sports
Key Points:
- Florida Panthers have placed center Aleksander Barkov on long-term injured reserve (LTIR), meaning he will miss at least the next 10 games and 24 days due to a lower-body injury sustained in the second game of the season.
- Barkov, 31, missed all of last season recovering from ACL and MCL surgery but showed strong performance in the recent World Championship, providing optimism for this season before the new injury setback.
- The injury is reportedly unrelated to last year’s surgery, with the team awaiting MRI results to determine severity, but they already know he will be out for at least the rest of the month.
- Barkov is a key two-way center and Selke Trophy winner, and his absence has led to lineup changes, including likely promotions of Sam Bennett or Anton Lundell to the top line.
- The LTIR move helps Florida manage salary cap constraints, allowing them to recall players from their AHL affiliate, Charlotte Checkers, while only a portion of Barkov’s $10 million salary counts toward the cap during his absence.
