Injury Notes: Barkov, Vasilevskiy, McDonagh
Fluto Shinzawa of The Athletic is reporting that Florida Panthers star center Aleksander Barkov will not dress tonight for the Panthers matchup with the Boston Bruins. It will be the second game in a row that the 28-year-old has missed after suffering a knee injury in Friday night’s win over the Anaheim Ducks. Knee injuries can be tricky, and it appears that the Panthers are opting to proceed cautiously with Barkov’s return to the line-up.
Panthers head coach Paul Maurice did tell Florida play-by-play broadcaster Doug Plagens that Barkov could return as early as Friday against the Winnipeg Jets. If he can return, Barkov and the Panthers will have dodged a major injury scare as the collision that sidelined Barkov could have been much worse. Barkov currently sits second on the Panthers in scoring with six goals and 11 assists in 16 games.
In other injury notes:
- Tampa Bay Times writer Eduardo A. Encina is reporting that Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper told reporters today that there is a very good chance that star goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy will play on the team’s upcoming road trip. Vasilevskiy took part in Tampa Bay’s morning skate today but still is not ready to play. The Lighting will open their three-game road trip this Friday in Carolina and then get a few days off before they play a back-to-back in Colorado and then Arizona next Monday and Tuesday. Given that timeline, it is possible that the 2019 Vezina Trophy winner will make his season debut in the next week.
- Nashville Predators reporter Michael Gallagher tweeted that Predators defenseman Ryan McDonagh skated with Roman Josi at practice this morning and is expected to return to game action this evening against the Calgary Flames. McDonagh has been out of action with a lower-body injury since November 2nd, missing the Predators last seven games. While he doesn’t offer much offensively, Nashville’s goaltenders badly missed the veteran. McDonagh is still a terrific penalty killer and does a very good job limiting his opponent’s offensive opportunities. Nashville gave up 20 goals in a four-game losing streak in McDonagh’s absence but has rallied off two straight wins since. They currently sit sixth in the Central Division with a 7-10 record.
Panthers “Could” Place Aleksander Barkov On IR
The Panthers may place captain Aleksander Barkov on injured reserve to create space on the 23-man roster for a recall, head coach Paul Maurice told George Richards of Florida Hockey Now. Barkov is out with a knee injury sustained in Friday night’s game against the Ducks and did not practice with the team this morning. The Panthers confirmed earlier Sunday that he’s listed as day-to-day and won’t be in the lineup Monday against the Oilers.
Barkov was injured on a hit from rookie defenseman Jackson LaCombe in the third period of Friday’s game. The team spent the past 36 hours evaluating him and determined that while he’ll need to miss time, it luckily won’t be a long-term absence. If Barkov is placed on IR, it will be backdated to Friday, ruling him out of the team’s next two games. He could return Friday against the Jets.
The 28-year-old is off to a strong start this year, posting six goals, 11 assists and 17 points through 16 appearances in 2023-24. He’s averaging north of 20 minutes per game for the seventh consecutive season, and his +14 rating is tied with Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes for the league lead. The 2013 second-overall pick continues to enshrine himself as the best forward in franchise history and is on pace for his fourth straight season above a point-per-game pace.
How much longer Barkov could miss beyond the seven-day period required by an IR placement remains unclear. Given his day-to-day designation, though, it would be surprising to see him out of the lineup by the time the calendar flips to December.
With Barkov out, another future high-flying Finnish centerman, Anton Lundell, will slide into his spot on the top line. The 22-year-old has a goal and seven assists in 17 contests this season and is averaging 15:32 per game. The 2020 12th-overall pick is in the third and final season of his entry-level contract, which costs $925K against the salary cap.
Florida Notes: Barkov, Cirelli, Glendening
The Panthers lost superstar center and team captain Aleksander Barkov to an apparent knee injury Friday after he was on the receiving end of a hit from Ducks defenseman Jackson LaCombe. Today’s initial news regarding his status wasn’t positive – Barkov was a non-participant in practice today, per George Richards of Florida Hockey Now, and David Dwork of The Hockey News believes the team will issue a further update on Barkov’s status later today.
Barkov has been invaluable to the Panthers, notching 17 points in 16 games and leading the team with a +14 rating. Missing him for any length of time is a tough blow, especially for a squad that just reached near-total health with the returns of Aaron Ekblad and Brandon Montour on defense. Barkov already missed one contest this season, an October 24 contest against the Sharks, with an illness. The Panthers won that game 3-1 to reach a 3-3-0 record on the season – a pace they’ve obliterated since and now sit second in the Atlantic Division.
Florida will struggle to replace his offense if he misses significant time, as their secondary scoring outside of Barkov, Matthew Tkachuk, Carter Verhaeghe and Sam Reinhart has struggled to keep up. Outside of Evan Rodrigues, who has 13 points in 17 contests, mainly playing with Barkov, few Panthers have played up to expectations. That applies mostly to Anton Lundell and Eetu Luostarinen, who have scored just one goal each through 17 games after strong showings in the Panthers’ run to the 2023 Stanley Cup Final. Lundell slid up to the first line between Reinhart and Verhaeghe at practice today in Barkov’s absence, Richards said.
The latest on some other storylines in the Sunshine State:
- The Lightning saw center Anthony Cirelli return to practice today in a full-contact jersey, Chris Krenn of the team’s official site relayed. Cirelli played less than six minutes in Thursday’s win over the Blackhawks and missed Saturday’s win over the Oilers with an undisclosed injury. Winger Tyler Motte moved to center the team’s third line in Cirelli’s absence. In the first season of an eight-year, $50MM extension signed in the summer of 2022, Cirelli has posted two goals, seven points and a -1 rating in 17 contests. The 26-year-old has continued to maintain a stellar defensive profile despite the mediocre plus-minus rating, as his line with Tanner Jeannot and Michael Eyssimont has a team-high expected goals share of 78.9%, per MoneyPuck. He’s also sporting a career-high faceoff win percentage of 56.4%.
- Staying with Tampa Bay, Krenn also reports that center Luke Glendening is absent from practice today with what the team labeled “body maintenance.” Glendening, 34, logged a season-high 15:52 and scored the game-winning goal against the Oilers yesterday. The veteran shutdown man has logged two goals, no assists and a -3 rating in 18 contests with the Bolts this year after signing a two-year, $1.6MM deal in free agency last summer.
Atlantic Notes: Klingberg, Timmins, Barkov, Andersson
The Maple Leafs are concerned that John Klingberg’s undisclosed injury could linger for a while, relays David Alter of The Hockey News. The veteran has struggled mightily in his first year with Toronto and it was recently revealed that he has been playing through an injury. Head coach Sheldon Keefe indicated that they’re trying a more aggressive treatment with Toronto having a light schedule at the moment due to their trip to Sweden but that Klingberg is taking longer than they hoped to bounce back from it. He has been ruled out for Sunday’s contest against Minnesota and if they want to consider an LTIR placement, that would keep him out through December 12th at a minimum.
Elsewhere in the Atlantic Division:
- Still with the Maple Leafs, defenseman Conor Timmins skated today but isn’t expected to play against Minnesota on Sunday, Alter adds (Twitter link). The 25-year-old is still working his way back from a lower-body injury sustained late in the preseason. Timmins, who is on LTIR, has been upgraded to being out day-to-day. Toronto will have to send two players down to activate Timmins and his $1.1MM price tag once he’s cleared to return.
- Panthers center Aleksander Barkov left Friday’s game against Anaheim after a hit from Jackson LaCombe early in the third period and did not return. Postgame, head coach Paul Maurice told reporters including Florida Hockey Now’s George Richards that there was no immediate update on him after the game. Florida is flying back from its road trip today so an update on the captain likely won’t come until Sunday. Barkov is off to a strong start to his season with 17 points in his first 16 games.
- Lias Andersson had a good start to his season in Montreal’s farm system but that will be on hold for a while as their AHL affiliate announced (Twitter link) that the forward will miss six to eight weeks with a lower-body injury. The 25-year-old signed a two-way deal with the Canadiens in the summer after being non-tendered by Los Angeles. Andersson, the seventh overall pick in 2017, has seven goals and two assists in ten games so far this season.
Panthers Notes: Ekblad, Montour, Barkov, Bennett
Panthers defensemen Aaron Ekblad and Brandon Montour both skated today and are expected to take part in practice with the team on Sunday in non-contact jerseys, reports Florida Hockey Now’s George Richards. Both players played through shoulder injuries in the playoffs, undergoing surgery soon after the Stanley Cup Final concluded. The original expectation was that both players would be back sometime around mid-December. However, head coach Paul Maurice suggested that the timeline could be moved up a bit, noting the veterans could be back by the end of next month which would certainly be a big boost with Ekblad and Montour being two of their top blueliners. Ekblad is currently on LTIR while Montour is on regular injured reserve.
More from Florida:
- The Panthers will welcome their captain back to the lineup tonight as play-by-play voice Steve Goldstein relays (Twitter link) that Aleksander Barkov will suit up after missing last game with an illness. The 28-year-old is off to a nice start to his season with six points in his first five appearances while averaging over 21 minutes a night. Florida sent Mackie Samoskevich back to AHL Charlotte yesterday, signifying that they expected Barkov would be cleared to play today against Seattle.
- While Sam Bennett also skated today, he will not suit up tonight, notes Bally Sports Florida’s Katie Engelson (Twitter link). The 27-year-old has yet to play so far this season due to a lingering lower-body injury. Maurice indicated that Bennett remains listed as day-to-day but is close to returning; he is expected to accompany the Panthers on their upcoming road trip. He’s coming off his second straight 40-point year despite missing 19 games due to injuries last season and his eventual return will certainly bolster Florida’s top six.
Florida Panthers Recall Samoskevich, Barkov Out Tonight
Earlier today, the Florida Panthers announced they had recalled forward Mackie Samoskevich from their AHL affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers. Without a corresponding roster move made, CapFriendly would report that captain Aleksander Barkov is out of the lineup tonight as the team takes on the San Jose Sharks, giving context to the callup.
The 24th overall selection of the 2021 NHL Draft, Samoskevich finally made his way to Sunrise after an electric career at the University of Michigan in the NCAA. In 79 games over two years, rostered on one of the most talented college hockey teams of all time, Samoskevich would score 30 goals and 42 assists, en route to finally joining the Checkers at the end of last season.
Making the Panthers out of camp, Samoskevich has gotten off to an unimpressive start, albeit only after two games played in his young career. Florida had given him just under 15 minutes of ice time per game, with Samoskevich getting four shots on net, and generating a -2 rating.
The team had previously sent Samoskevich down to the AHL a week ago in favor of William Lockwood, but will now need to cover for the team as they deal with a mysterious absence from Barkov. It is unconfirmed at this point whether or not Barkov is dealing with an injury or something else altogether, it is only confirmed that the Panthers will be without their third-highest-scorer tonight.
Injury Updates: Barkov, Dadonov, Howden
Florida Panthers team captain Aleksander Barkov has been given the green light to hit the ice in tonight’s potentially series-clinching Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Final against the Carolina Hurricanes, head coach Paul Maurice said today. Barkov’s status update comes after he missed most of Florida’s 1-0 Game 3 win, sustaining a lower-body injury on a first-period hit from Hurricanes forward Jack Drury.
The 27-year-old Finnish center’s leadership and two-way acumen have proven invaluable to the team’s success, displayed most recently by a highlight-reel goal in Game 2. His four goals and eight assists for 12 points are third on the team in playoff scoring behind linemate Carter Verhaeghe and Hart Trophy finalist Matthew Tkachuk.
The 2021 Selke Trophy winner will log heavy minutes tonight as he looks to advance to the first Stanley Cup Final of his career.
- Dallas Stars forward Evgenii Dadonov is listed as doubtful for tomorrow’s must-win Game 4, according to head coach Peter DeBoer. Dadonov left the game after sustaining a lower-body injury in a collision with teammate Roope Hintz while Dallas was on a power play and did not return. If captain Jamie Benn is suspended for his cross-check on Vegas Golden Knights captain Mark Stone today, Stars forward Fredrik Olofsson would draw into the lineup and make his playoff debut if Dadonov can’t go.
- On the other side of the Dallas/Vegas coin, Golden Knights head coach Bruce Cassidy also said today that forward Brett Howden‘s status for tomorrow is uncertain. Howden, who’s been elevated to a top-six role and has six points in 14 games, aggravated a lower-body injury yesterday and didn’t play in the third period. Either Michael Amadio or Phil Kessel could return to the lineup if he’s unable to go.
Aleksander Barkov Leaves Game 3, Not Expected Out Long-Term
May 23, 9:25 am: This morning, head coach Paul Maurice offered more clarity on the situation, saying the Panthers were hopeful for his return during the contest, and the team remains optimistic their captain will make a swift recovery and be back in the lineup soon, with the injury not expected to be long-term, as he told Miami radio station WQAM.
May 22, 8:58 pm: Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman is reporting that Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov left in the first period of game 3 in the Eastern Conference Finals and is questionable to return. Barkov took an innocent looking hit from Jack Drury and missed the final 7:04 of the first period. David Pagnotta of the NHL Network tweeted that Barkov is battling a lower-body injury, and it is still unclear if he will return.
The Panthers captain didn’t come out for the start of the second period, and little is known about his status at this time. Should the former second-overall pick miss any time, it could be a huge blow to the Cinderella story that is the Panthers’ playoff run. Barkov had three points in the first two games of their series against the Carolina Hurricanes, including a goal that Wayne Gretzky called one of the greatest moves he’s seen in the Stanley Cup playoffs. Barkov’s regular season numbers dipped a bit this year, but the 27-year-old center still had 23 goals and 55 assists in 68 games and has 12 points in 14 playoff games thus far.
The timing of the Barkov injury is interesting, given that head coach Paul Maurice mentioned to reporters this morning that the two of the Panthers’ best games this season occurred when Barkov and Sam Bennett were out of the team’s lineup. The Sportsnet broadcast crew brought up this Maurice quote from an interview that now seems ominous given the situation Barkov and Florida are now facing.
NHL Announces 2023 King Clancy Memorial Trophy Nominees
In an announcement made Tuesday afternoon, the NHL unveiled the list of nominees for the 2023 King Clancy Memorial Trophy. The award is presented annually to the player who best exemplifies leadership qualities both on and off the ice, as well as making a noteworthy humanitarian contribution to their community.
The list of nominees for this year’s award is an impressive one, featuring some of the league’s most well-respected captains, such as Boston’s Patrice Bergeron and Florida’s Aleksander Barkov.
One notable nominee is one of the youngest captains in the league – Ottawa’s Brady Tkachuk. Tkachuk, in a few short years as a Senator, has already implanted himself in the community, especially in recent seasons. Working with the Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa, Tkachuk hosts the ‘Tkachuk’s Captains’ program, which works with kids at club locations across Ottawa to help develop leadership skills.
That’s not to diminish the off-ice efforts of anyone else named on the full list of nominees, found below. While an often-overlooked award, it’s a great way to highlight some players who focus on making positive contributions to their communities.
Anaheim: Kevin Shattenkirk
Arizona: Travis Boyd
Boston: Patrice Bergeron
Buffalo: Alex Tuch
Calgary: Mikael Backlund
Carolina: Jordan Staal
Chicago: Connor Murphy
Colorado: Devon Toews
Columbus: Zach Werenski
Dallas: Jason Robertson
Detroit: Dylan Larkin
Edmonton: Darnell Nurse
Florida: Aleksander Barkov
Los Angeles: Mikey Anderson
Minnesota: Matt Dumba
Montreal: Jordan Harris
Nashville: Juuse Saros
New Jersey: Jack Hughes
NY Islanders: Anders Lee
NY Rangers: Jacob Trouba
Ottawa: Brady Tkachuk
Philadelphia: Scott Laughton
Pittsburgh: Evgeni Malkin
San Jose: Luke Kunin
Seattle: Chris Driedger
St. Louis: Brayden Schenn
Tampa Bay: Victor Hedman
Toronto: Morgan Rielly
Vancouver: Elias Pettersson
Vegas: Reilly Smith
Washington: Tom Wilson
Winnipeg: Blake Wheeler
Morning Notes: NHLPA Poll, Quick, Canadiens
The NHLPA Player Poll has become a yearly fixture, giving fans an insight into what players have to say in popular public debates. This year’s edition dropped this morning with mostly expected results.
Tampa Bay Lightning netminder Andrei Vasilevskiy was voted by a wide margin as the goalie players would want in net with one game on the line for the second straight season, while the Colorado Avalanche’s Cale Makar was voted best defenseman in the league by a landslide. Connor McDavid won “most impactful forward in a must-win game,” no doubt buoyed by last year’s electric playoff performance. Other winners were Patrick Kane for best stick-handler, Leon Draisaitl for best passer, Sidney Crosby for most complete player, Brad Marchand for least enjoy playing against (but want on your team), Joe Pavelski for most effective net-front player, and Aleksander Barkov for most underrated. Marie-Philip Poulin was also voted as the women’s hockey player that NHL players would most like to play alongside, past or present, and the Bell Centre was voted as having the best ice in the NHL for the fifth time.
In off-ice results, Las Vegas was voted the best road city to have an off day, Marc-Andre Fleury was voted best locker room presence, and Auston Matthews was voted as having the best shoe game.
More notes from around the NHL this morning:
- Now a Vegas Golden Knight, Stanley Cup-winning netminder Jonathan Quick continues to move up the all-time ranks. With last night’s road win against the Vancouver Canucks, Quick moved into sole possession of second place on the all-time wins list for American-born goaltenders, trailing only Ryan Miller. Quick now sits just 16 wins back of tying the all-time record with 375 wins under his belt.
- In some rare positive injury news for the Montreal Canadiens this season, Jake Evans has returned to practice in a full-contact jersey, while Jesse Ylonen has returned to practice after missing the team’s last game with an illness, per TVA’s Renaud Lavoie. Ylonen hasn’t looked out of place in his first extended NHL look this season, recording five goals and 12 points in 29 games. Evans is nearing a return after missing over two months with a lower-body injury.