The odds of the Florida Panthers making the playoffs when play resumes is astronomical. Now it is practically impossible.

Aleksander Barkov suffered a knee injury over the weekend in Sochi and will be out for the next 4-6 weeks. This is the 2nd time he has been out with a knee injury this season, but this one is definitely more severe.

Barkov currently is 4th on the team in points, which includes him being pointless in his last 4 games. But the talented rookie has been as advertised and more as the 2nd overall pick in last year's NHL Draft. Missing him for a month or more will be a crushing blow to a team on life support.

Look for Nick Bjugstad or Marcel Goc to be placed in the #1 center spot until Barkov returns. Barring a miracle, it will only be to get more NHL experience before making tee times in mid-April.

The only other Panther representing at the Winter Olympics, Tomas Kopecky, was also injured over the weekend after he was elbowed in the head. The dreaded concussion concerns are now being discussed. It has not been decided if Kopecky will return for any of Slovakia's remaining games.

Dan Spiegel
Florida Panthers Media
Follow me on Twitter
Join the Florida Panthers Insiders FB Page
Connect with me on Google Plus

Join the Discussion: » 27 Comments » Post New Comment

» Goodbye To Hockeybuzz

» Aleksander Barkov Finally Gets His Due

» Marchessault Stings

» Are The Panthers A Tease?

» The Legacy Jagr Left Behind...