The Florida Panthers are heading into the new year with some good news.
Captain Aleksander Barkov has resumed skating, suiting up a few times at the Panthers' facility in Florida, in a major milestone since undergoing knee surgery in October, The Hockey News' David Dwork reported Wednesday.
The 30-year-old tore his ACL and MCL during the Panthers' first practice of training camp and was ruled out for seven to nine months, effectively ending his season before it began.
The reigning King Clancy and Selke trophy winner put up 71 points (20 goals and 51 assists) through 67 regular-season appearances last season, while logging 22 points (six goals and 16 assists) in Florida's run to a second consecutive Stanley Cup.
This is welcome news for the Panthers, who have been playing short-handed for the majority of the season.
Star forward Matthew Tkachuk, who underwent off-season surgery to repair a torn adductor muscle and sports hernia, has yet to suit up this season, but has resumed practising with the team.
The Panthers currently hold the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.
