The Florida Panthers have placed Aleksander Barkov on long-term injured reserve, and nobody is putting a number on how long their captain will be out.
Tim Reynolds reported the move Saturday and said the Panthers still aren't sure of the severity.
Pierre LeBrun added that Paul Maurice will update the injury after the team's 1 p.m. PT practice, though he doesn't expect a specific timeline and said Barkov will be evaluated further.
"But obviously, LTIR isn't good," LeBrun wrote.
He's right, and Florida fans know it. Teams don't park their captain on LTIR for a quick breather.
It's the mechanic telling you he needs to keep the car overnight, then going quiet when you ask about tomorrow.
How did it get here? Barkov went down the tunnel after an awkward fall in Thursday's 4-3 overtime loss in San Jose.
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Paul Maurice's update may not bring the answer Florida wants
Dr. Harjas Grewal said the video showed inward stress on the knee, most likely pointing to a torn MCL, with an ACL injury also possible.
That was a read from video, not a diagnosis, and the Panthers haven't announced one.
Earlier in that same game, Macklin Celebrini was caught cross-checking him along the boards.
Barkov is 31 and went without a point in his two games before the injury.
Barkov's $10,000,000 cap hit, the biggest on Florida's roster, now sits on LTIR.
Matthew Tkachuk and Seth Jones carry $9,500,000 apiece, and Sam Reinhart is at $8,625,000.
Reinhart has yet to register a point through two games, while Sam Bennett and Anton Lundell have one apiece.
Gustav Forsling is also listed day-to-day with an upper-body injury.
Eetu Luostarinen scored twice for Florida in San Jose, and Will Smith answered with two goals for the Sharks.
The Panthers are 1-0-1 and continue their trip in Anaheim on Sunday, then Los Angeles on Tuesday.
Their home opener comes October 10 against Minnesota.
Maurice's update is coming. If LeBrun is right and there's no timeline attached, Florida's home opener arrives with a lot more questions than answers.
Can the Panthers stay in the playoff race while Aleksander Barkov is on LTIR?
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