Barkov injures right leg at Panthers camp, evaluation next day

Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov was helped off the ice after appearing to sustain a right leg injury during the team’s first full training camp practice Thursday in Fort Lauderdale, officials said, leaving the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions without immediate clarity on the severity of the setback. Barkov lay on the ice for several minutes before being assisted to the dressing room and put very little weight on his right leg as he left.

Coach Paul Maurice said Barkov was undergoing further evaluation and that the team expected to have more information the following day. “I’ll have a better answer for you tomorrow,” Maurice said. He added that medical findings would not change the team’s day-to-day preparation. “I’m not a doctor, so whatever the report is, it won’t affect how we handle the next days. If he’s not in the lineup on Opening Night, or if he misses an exhibition game, or if he’s out long term, it’s just not going to affect that day. We’ve got to win hockey games. We’ve got to prep for it.”

It was not immediately clear what caused the injury. Teammate Jesper Boqvist said, “Not a guy you want to see go down, for sure,” after Barkov was unable to skate...