Aleksander Barkov Cleared to Play for Finland at 2026 World Championship
The Panthers captain returns from ACL-MCL surgery for his first games since the 2025 Cup Final.
Overview
- Finland announced Thursday that Aleksander Barkov will play at the IIHF World Championship in Switzerland.
- The Panthers’ medical staff cleared him for full contact Wednesday at his end-of-season exam.
- The Florida captain missed the entire 2025–26 NHL season after surgery to repair torn ACL and MCL in his right knee.
- With the Panthers out of the playoffs, his first competitive games since the 2025 Stanley Cup Final will come for Finland alongside teammate Anton Lundell.
- Finland opens the tournament against Germany on May 15 after late‑April camps in Lahti and Kouvola and warmups versus Latvia and Denmark.