Panthers face nightmare start without Aleksander Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk

2025 Stanley Cup Final - Game Six | Mike Carlson/GettyImagesAfter the Florida Panthers enjoyed a legendary offseason that saw core pieces from their championship team return, the NHL universe was talking 'dynasty.' They knew Matthew Tkachuk would miss the fun for the first two months of the season, but the Panthers had enough talent to cover for him, with Aleksander Barkov still leading the charge.

It's not like a star player won't go down during the season, and championship teams compensate all the time. But when Barkov sustains an injury and lands on the shelf for at least seven months following surgery on his ACL and MCL? Now, that season-opening matchup doesn't look like a…