Crazy talk: Aleksander Barkov to a completely new position in the NHL?
Florida Panthers received good news this week as the team’s captain Aleksander Barkov returned to the ice for practice after a long injury absence.
The Finn has been sidelined all season due to a knee injury he sustained after colliding with his teammate Niko Mikkola during practice.
Panthers head coach Paul Maurice expressed that he is very pleased with Barkov’s recovery.
– He has been out for six months, and his rehabilitation has progressed in an incredible way, Maurice said.
At the same time, Maurice also threw in some humor about his plans with Barkov.
– We thought we would play him as a forward until he is 39 years old. I was thinking of switching him to defenseman for the next six seasons after that. That’s my goal, Maurice quipped.
The coach also mentioned a detail from practice.
– If you watched today’s practice, where Seth Jones and Barkov played as defensemen, there might be a couple – a little insider tip, because you’ll notice how influential they are in their game.
On Barkov’s defensive ability: “I think we get him to play forward until he's about 39, then I would flip him to D for about 6 years. That's my goal.”
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