Sasha Barkov Back on the Ice - But Panthers Playing the Long Game with Their Captain
FORT LAUDERDALE - When Sasha Barkov took a few laps during the Winter Classic in Miami on New Year’s Day, just three months removed from reconstructive knee surgery, it turned heads. But as head coach Paul Maurice put it back then, it was more symbolic than significant - a light skate, not a signal that Florida’s captain was nearing a return.
“He was just moving around the ice,” Maurice said at the time. “Like a Sunday walk.”
Fast forward to Tuesday, and Barkov’s latest on-ice appearance looked a little more involved - but only just. Following the Panthers’ morning skate at the IcePlex, Barkov joined a small group of injured teammates for a workout session.
He was out there with Dmitry Kulikov, Tomas Nosek, and Jonah Gadjovich, getting in some post-practice work. Notably absent was defenseman Seth Jones.
This wasn’t Barkov pushing the pace or testing the limits. Observers noted he was still skating with caution, easing into his stride before opening up a bit.
It’s a step forward, but not one that changes the big-picture timeline. As of now, the Panthers aren’t expecting him back until the postseason - and only if they don’t place him on long-term injured reserve before then.
That’s the reality when you're coming off surgery to repair both the MCL and ACL. General manager Bill Zito has been consistent: the original 7-to-9 month recovery window still holds.
They’re not accelerating the process, nor should they. Barkov is simply too important to risk rushing.
The Panthers have already weathered the storm of injuries this season and are slowly getting healthier. Matthew Tkachuk and Brad Marchand have recently rejoined the lineup, giving Florida a much-needed boost. And it looks like Kulikov and Gadjovich could be next up, with both trending toward a return after the Olympic break in March.
But Barkov and Nosek - both dealing with major knee injuries sustained before the season even began - are on a different track. Nosek’s injury came during the offseason, while Barkov went down during his first on-ice session of training camp back in September. These are long-haul recoveries, and the Panthers are treating them as such.
Still, seeing Barkov back on the ice - even in a limited capacity - is a morale boost. For a team that’s been grinding through the regular season without its captain, every step forward, no matter how small, matters.
What’s Next: Panthers vs. Utah Mammoth
The Panthers are set to host the Utah Mammoth on Tuesday night at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise for Game No. 52 of the season. Florida took the first matchup back in December with a tight 4-3 win in Utah and currently leads the season series 1-0.
Historically, the Panthers have had the edge in this matchup, holding a 24-20-0 record with three ties against the franchise formerly known as the Coyotes.
Puck drops at 7 p.m. ET, with coverage available locally on Scripps Sports and streaming on ESPN+ and Panthers+.
After Tuesday’s game, the Panthers hit the road for a Thursday night showdown with the St. Louis Blues.
For now, the focus remains on stacking wins and staying healthy - and maybe, just maybe, getting their captain back when it matters most.