Aleksander Barkov To Return For Panthers

The Panthers will have captain Aleksander Barkov back in the lineup tonight against the Sabres, head coach Paul Maurice told reporters in Buffalo (including Bill Hoppe of the Olean Times Herald).

The team has danced around confirming his return for days now. Barkov has missed the last eight games with a lower-body injury, believed to be a high ankle sprain that he sustained in the closing seconds of Florida’s second game of the season against the Senators back on Oct. 10. The 29-year-old was a full participant in practice over the weekend, signaling that he’d likely be ready to play tonight.

Despite the absence of their No. 1 center for 80% of their schedule, the defending Stanley Cup champions have managed to stay ahead of the pack. They rank first in a mediocre Atlantic Division to start the season, leading the way with a 6-3-1 record. Remarkably, six of the division’s eight teams have a .500 record – the Panthers and the Lightning (5-3-0) are the only exceptions.

The team’s Jameson Olive relays Barkov will return with Sam Reinhart and Evan Rodrigues as his wingers. Reinhart has shown no signs of slowing down from last season’s breakout campaign, but Barkov’s return could help jumpstart Rodrigues, who’s stumbled out of the gate with just three points and a -10 rating in 10 contests.

Barkov is coming off his second Selke Trophy-winning regular season. The 2013 second-overall pick led Panthers forwards last season with a +33 rating and 61 takeaways and controlled 58.4% of shot attempts and 58.2% of expected goals while on the ice at even strength. He proceeded to add 22 points (8 G, 14 A) in 24 playoff games, averaging over 21 minutes per night, as the Panthers lifted the first Stanley Cup in franchise history.

Florida never needed to move Barkov to IR despite the extended absence. They still have an open roster spot, even with him on the active roster.