A report from TSN’s Bob McKenzie said that Florida Panthers centre Aleksander Barkov is sidelined day-to-day with an upper-body injury.
Initial word out of FLA is that Aleksander Barkov, who left in the first period of Saturday’s game vs. NSH, is considered day to day with an upper body injury.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) October 21, 2019
Aleksander Barkov Injured
Barkov left Saturday’s game with the Nashville Predators early in the first period. He logged only two minutes of ice time and one shot in Florida’s 3-2 shootout victory. The Tampere, Finland native went down on a non-contact play, but skated off of under his own power.
Florida’s captain has six points (all assists) this season and no penalty minutes in eight games this season. His possession numbers are 54.3 percent Corsi and a relative Corsi of 5.7.
Barkov has only played for the Panthers in his seven-year NHL career. He has 135 goals and 216 assists for 351 career points in 421 career games. The Panthers originally drafted him in the first round, second overall of the 2013 NHL Draft.
General manger Dale Tallon told The Athletic’s George Richards (subscription required) that the Barkov sustained a minor injury. Florida is slated to host the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday
What This Means for the Future
Barkov hasn’t scored a goal, but he’ll be missed if he’s out for any sustained length of time. The young Finn is on a line with Evgenii Dadonov and Jonathan Huberdeau. However, Barkov hasn’t gotten a goal.
Some wonder if Barkov is still dealing with the after effects of a shoulder injury after taking a hit by Nikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning in the pre-season. Barkov returned to practice the next day, but he shook off any talk that he was hurt.
The injury compounded the Panthers’ centre problems as Vincent Trocheck took a shot off his left ankle in Saturday’s game. Trocheck did return to the game, but the Panthers need him to stay in the lineup if Barkov will miss any action.
SUNRISE, FL – NOVEMBER 11: Aleksander Barkov #16 of the Florida Panthers prepares for a second period face-off against the Ottawa Senators at the BB&T Center on November 11, 2018 in Sunrise, Florida. The Panthers defeated the Senators 5-1. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)
