An injury to Aleksander Barkov could do more than shake up the Florida Panthers’ center depth. It may also reopen a familiar name in the Dylan Larkin conversation.
Barkov missed all of last season after surgery for a torn ACL and MCL, and his awkward fall Thursday immediately set off alarms because of how closely it resembled that previous injury. Panthers coach Paul Maurice said the latest issue is unrelated to Barkov’s old knee problem, but if Florida winds up putting him on LTIR, the ripple effects could be significant.
That would leave the Panthers with a major hole down the middle and, just as importantly, the cap space to chase Larkin. The Detroit captain reportedly has Florida on his list of preferred destinations, though the Panthers have not had a clear reason to swing for a move of that size. A long-term Barkov absence could change that quickly.
Even then, the real question is what Florida would be willing to give up. The Panthers do not appear eager to part with Anton Lundell, while Detroit’s side would be looking for players who can jump right into the lineup.
Elsewhere, Gary Bettman has put no-trade clauses back under the microscope. The NHL commissioner said the protections were meant for players who accepted long-term deals or team-friendly contracts in exchange for stability, not to let them control where a trade goes after asking for one. He suggested that if summers like this past one keep popping up, the league may need to sit down with the NHLPA.
Brad Marchand didn’t let that go unanswered. He called the system “broken” and said the issue cuts both ways, questioning why teams can decide they want to move a player after signing him to a long-term contract, while the player can’t seek a change of his own.
The debate lands right in the middle of several recent trade situations. Larkin reportedly has only a limited list of preferred destinations, Brady Tkachuk wanted Florida, and Connor Hellebuyck has reportedly preferred a U.S. destination.
In Edmonton, the early defensive mess is turning the heat up on Jake Walman. The Oilers’ blue line has been shaky enough that Walman’s place is suddenly under scrutiny after a rough start.
He played just over 13 minutes Thursday, and while Got Yer’ Back’s Ryan Rishaug said he would not healthy-scratch Walman after one bad game, co-host Rob Brown made the case that if there is a time to sit a player projected for the top four, this might be it. Martin Biron added that the problems are not just about goaltending, pointing to the amount of Grade-A chances, breakaways, rebounds, screens, and scrums Edmonton has allowed.
Mark Spector also called out Walman during Edmonton’s 9-7 win over Vancouver, and Dennis King suggested Walman may not get the same patience Darnell Nurse eventually lost in Edmonton. Walman arrived at camp expecting a bigger role. Right now, that opportunity looks a lot less secure.
In Other News...
Wild Let A 2-0 Lead Slip In A Brutal Road Loss
The Wild had the game where they wanted it for most of the night in Buffalo, carrying a two-goal lead into the stretch before the Sabres started to chip away. Minnesota could not close it out, and what looked like a solid road win instead turned into a frustrating defeat after Buffalos late push kept the pressure on until the end.
Buffalo finished the rally with third-period goals from Tage Thompson and Noah Ostlund to force overtime, while Colten Ellis held his own with 18 saves in his season debut. For a Minnesota team that had already done enough early to feel in control, the loss leaves the familiar sour aftertaste of letting a lead get away, especially with the Sabres finding just enough offense to turn the night around. [Read more 🡒]
Sabres Win Came With A Wild Injury Scare Fans Will Notice
Nick Folignos night ended early against the Sabres, adding an unwelcome injury note to a game Minnesota was already trying to manage. The veteran forward left with an upper-body injury and had already seen limited ice time before he was forced out, a reminder of how quickly a hard-working depth piece can become a concern for a team that leans on experience in the lineup.
Foligno, who scored the Wilds season-opening goal earlier in the year, has been part of the group since arriving last season and returning on a one-year deal. For Minnesota, any absence would be worth monitoring not just because of what he brings on the ice, but because he has fit as one of those dependable role players who can steady a lineup when things get choppy. [Read more 🡒]
Wild Forced Into Forward Shuffle Before Next Game
Minnesotas forward depth took a hit after Nick Foligno left the previous game early, leaving the Wild to adjust on the fly before a matchup with the Tampa Bay Lightning. The veterans absence creates an opening in the lineup, and the timing matters for a team that has had to lean on its depth throughout the season.
Tyler Pitlick was recalled from Iowa to help fill the gap, giving the Wild another experienced option who has spent time in both the NHL and AHL. Now in his second year with Minnesota, Pitlick gives the coaching staff a familiar plug-in as it waits to see how long Foligno is unavailable. [Read more 🡒]