FORT LAUDERDALE — Florida Panthers captain Sasha Barkov, who missed the entire regular season after injuring his right knee during his first practice last September, has been ranked the No. 5 center in the NHL by NHL Network as he prepares to rejoin the team for training camp, Florida Hockey Now reported.
Despite sitting out a full season, Barkov dropped just one spot from last year’s ranking — a testament to a résumé that includes three Selke Trophy wins as the league’s top defensive forward, a distinction as the first Finnish-born captain to hoist the Stanley Cup, and the first European to captain multiple championship teams. Before the injury, Barkov had posted at least 20 goals and 50 points in 10 consecutive seasons.
“Amazing experience. Obviously, it was great to be back playing hockey after a long time,” Barkov said of his return to international competition at the IIHF World Championship, where he scored three goals with 11 points and led Finland to the title.
Barkov underwent reconstructive surgery on his right knee and was back skating by January. He practiced with the Panthers but was not medically cleared before Florida fell out of playoff contention. His dominant showing at the World Championship erased doubts about whether the 2024 Stanley Cup-winning captain could return to elite form.
Toronto’s Auston Matthews, ranked No. 8 on the same NHL Network list, has spoken to Barkov’s caliber. “He’s big. He’s strong. He’s good in the faceoff circle,” Matthews said. “He’s probably the best two-way player, two-way centre in the league, in my opinion. You have to fight for every inch.”
Teammate Sam Bennett echoed the sentiment. “He’s our leader, our captain, and he plays the game the right way,” Bennett said. “It’s pretty special to see a guy so committed.”
Barkov’s return is a central reason oddsmakers have listed the Panthers among the favorites for the coming season. NHL free agency opened July 1, and the Panthers open training camp Sept. 17 in Fort Lauderdale. Florida begins its preseason Sept. 20 against the Carolina Hurricanes, opens the 2026-27 regular season at Carolina on Sept. 29 at 5 p.m. on ESPN, and hosts the Minnesota Wild for the home opener Oct. 10 at 6 p.m.