Since the beginning of their careers, forwards Aleksander Barkov and Jonathan Huberdeau have always been on the first line together for the Florida Panthers.
For years, they’ve dominated up top for the Cats, putting up the numbers and helping each other develop their individual games. They were two peas in a pod, a battery pack, an inseparable duo until one decision was made last season.
With the offense struggling, Panthers head coach Bob Boughner knew he had to make a change. He implemented the unthinkable by splitting up Barkov and Huberdeau, shocking anyone who had watched these two together since they began their NHL careers.