Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov returned to training camp this week, eager to lead the team to its third Stanley Cup in four years after a lost season due to injury. Barkov tore his right knee ACL and MCL during the first practice of training camp last September and missed the entire 2025-26 campaign. He described the mental challenge of the recovery, stating he learned to "enjoy every single chance you get to play hockey." The Panthers, picked by most sportsbooks as favorites despite missing the playoffs last year, have a core roster returning from their 2024 and 2025 Cup runs, including Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Reinhart, and Aaron Ekblad.

New additions like Brady Tkachuk, Radko Gudas, and Brad Marchand bolster the lineup. With Sergei Bobrovsky departed for Toronto, Jacob Markstrom is slated to start in net. Barkov emphasized team unity, noting every player can lead in their own way.

He also represented Finland at the IIHF world championships, winning gold, though he missed the Milan Cortina Olympics. The organization hopes his return sparks another championship run.