The Florida Panthers ' chances for a Stanley Cup championship three-peat just became a lot tougher.

Captain Aleksander Barkov will have surgery on his right knee, coach Paul Maurice told reporters on Sept. 26. Barkov was injured during practice the day before during a non-contact drill.

According to the Miami Herald, Barkov, 29, fell to his knees shortly before a minor collision with defenseman Niko Mikkola. He was on the ice for several minutes before two staff members helped him to the dressing room. Barkov put very little weight on his right leg while leaving the ice.

It is not known how long the team's top center will be sidelined but there were reports he tore his ACL and will miss the 2025-26 NHL season.

The Panthers already were without forwards Matthew Tkachuk and Toma

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