Barkov Injury Update Brings An End to Blockbuster Trade Rumor

Aleksander Barkov will miss six to eight weeks with an injury requiring non-surgical rehabilitation, Florida Panthers reporter Jameson Olive confirmed. Panthers head coach Paul Maurice described the roughly two-month window as the best timeline estimate. The shorter recovery period ends speculation that Florida will pursue a blockbuster trade for a high-end center like Detroit Red Wings forward Dylan Larkin.

NHL Trade Talk notes that Larkin had expanded his preferred trade list to around ten clubs, including the Panthers. With Barkov expected back relatively quickly, Florida will rely on internal solutions rather than acquiring a player with a substantial salary cap hit.