What Happened
Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov and veteran winger Brad Marchand both returned to the ice Thursday, head coach Paul Maurice told reporters. Maurice said Barkov is still four weeks away from playing games, while Marchand is three weeks out. Barkov, who missed all of last season with a right knee injury, was hurt in his second game this season with a left knee injury that did not require surgery. Marchand has been sidelined since early October with a left leg injury.
Key Details
- Barkov and Marchand resumed skating Thursday, according to coach Paul Maurice.
- Maurice said Barkov is four weeks from game action and Marchand three weeks.
- Barkov's left knee injury did not require surgery; his six-to-eight-week timeline appears intact.
- Marchand has been out since early October with a left leg injury.
- Florida is 7-4-2 in 13 games and holds the top wild-card spot in the East.
What It Means
Florida has stayed in the playoff picture without two key forwards, going 7-4-2 and sitting in the top wild-card spot in the East. Barkov's return would restore the captain and a top-line center after he missed all of last season with a right knee injury. Marchand's timeline is slightly shorter, giving the Panthers a chance to get closer to full forward health in the coming weeks.
What's Next
Both players will continue skating as they progress. Barkov is roughly four weeks from games and Marchand about three, per Maurice, so Florida faces several more games without them.