Barkov Set for Panthers Preseason Opener Against Hurricanes
Florida’s captain is due to play his first game in Sunrise since the 2025 Stanley Cup Final after missing last season.
Aleksander Barkov is expected to play when the Florida Panthers open their preseason against the Carolina Hurricanes at Amerant Bank Arena on Sunday at 7 p.m. ET. It would be the captain's first game in Sunrise since Game 6 of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final; a knee injury kept him out for all of 2025-26, according to the Panthers.
Florida's preview has Barkov centering Sam Reinhart and Brady Tkachuk, acquired from Ottawa in June. Brady and his brother Matthew are due to play together as NHL teammates for the first time. Coach Paul Maurice said the exhibition game will give Barkov and his new linemates a chance to build chemistry.
The club also expects goaltender Jacob Markstrom to play in Sunrise in a Panthers uniform for the first time since his 2013-14 departure, while returning defenseman Radko Gudas is paired with Dmitry Kulikov. Sunday is the first of four games on Florida's preseason schedule.
