The Panthers are waiting on an MRI for Aleksander Barkov after a knee scare last night, and the early read isn't comforting.
Barkov logged just 9:15 of ice time in Thursday's 3-1 loss in San Jose.
Dr. Harjas Grewal broke down the play online, pointing to inward stress on the knee. His read: the most likely result is a torn MCL.
Timelines depend on the grade. Grewal noted a grade 2 often means four to six weeks out.
The darker scenario is still on the table. A torn ACL, with or without meniscus damage, is also possible.
In the clip, the knee bends inward under the load, the exact mechanism Grewal flagged in his breakdown.
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Paul Maurice braces for life without his anchor up front
Barkov carries a $10,000,000 cap hit, and the 31-year-old sits at the heart of everything Florida does.
Nothing is confirmed yet. The MRI will decide whether this is a few weeks or a much longer conversation.
The Panthers opened with a 1-0 overtime win in Carolina before the loss in San Jose. Next up is Anaheim on Sunday.
Maurice should not rush this. Even if it's a grade 2, the Panthers need him healthy in the spring far more than they need him in October.
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That knee is like the keystone in an arch. Pull it out, and everything around it has to carry more weight.
Bill Zito already chased Connor Hellebuyck this fall, with the Jets unimpressed by Florida's offer. A long Barkov absence could reshape what the front office does next.
The MRI comes tomorrow. Until then, Panthers fans will be refreshing their phones and hoping "most likely" turns out to be the best case.
Should the Panthers make a trade if Aleksander Barkov misses significant time?
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