On Thursday night, the Florida Panthers lost captain Aleksander Barkov to a potential long-term lower-body injury. Initially, many speculated that the Finnish star suffered another tear to the ACL and MCL he tore last year before training camp, costing him the entire 2025-26 campaign. However, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman pointed out that this isn't a reinjury; it’s in the other leg. After initial scans, head coach Paul Maurice had no further updates 24 hours after the injury, which is causing many sleepless nights in Florida.
In the event that Barkov misses significant time, whether it’s six weeks or, worst case, the rest of the season, there’s a gap in the forward group that is irreplaceable. If the captain is placed on LTIR, that frees up $10 million in cap space, which would be more than enough money to acquire disgruntled Detroit Red Wings forward Dylan Larkin
Panthers could capitalize on Larkin’s rough situation in Detroit
For the past six seasons, Larkin has been the Red Wings' captain, until they stripped him of the role after he requested a trade this past summer. Larkin hasn't played in the Stanley Cup playoffs since his rookie season in 2015-16, as Detroit has missed the postseason in each of the past 10 years; he wants to be dealt to a contender, with the Panthers on his list. Fresh off a Gold Medal win at the Olympics, the 30-year-old is in the fourth year of an eight-year deal he signed in 2023.
Larkin missed Detroit's season opener with an upper-body injury and drew heavy boos during player introductions. At this point, the relationship between the player, the club, and the fan base is fractured, probably past the point of no return. Based on that first-night reaction, Larkin's chances of being moved just went up, while the return the Red Wings hope to get just went down.
Like the Winnipeg Jets situation with goalie Connor Hellebuyck, the franchise believes it’s playing hardball with its star, but the longer he sits out, the lower the return becomes. At some point, Hellebuyck, a former Hart Trophy winner, could be moved for some draft picks and not the haul the Jets expect.
Bill Zito should put the Red Wings on speed dial
Everyone knows the Panthers have no first-round picks until 2030, and they refuse to move young Anton Lundell. However, that shouldn't stop Florida General Manager Bill Zito from picking up the phone and calling the Red Wings to pry Larkin away. If Barkov is out long-term, his $10 million salary will come off the books, allowing Zito to eat Larkin’s entire $8.7 million contract and leaving the team an additional $1.3 million to make moves later in the season.
As a six-time 30-goal scorer who averages 65 points a season, Larkin would be a welcome addition to the Panthers' attack. Just like so many other players who have relocated to Florida recently, they may never skate alongside such a stacked lineup with hefty expectations of hoisting the Stanley Cup. Anyone who goes from a non-playoff team to a club destined for success would feel rejuvenated, something Larkin is hoping to find in a new city. Why not the Panthers?
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