Worrying injury news strikes the Florida Panthers ahead of season opener against the Chicago Blackhawks

The defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers are facing a considerable challenge as they look to become the NHL's 1st 3-peat champion since the early 1980s New York Islanders.

They're already going to be without Matthew Tkachuk for the first several months of the year and have now lost captain Aleksander Barkov for the entire year with a torn ACL/MCL.

Now, the Panthers have lost Anton Lundell, who was hurt in last night's game against the divisional foe Tampa Bay Lightning and didn't come back.

He's also not on the ice for practice today.

Per comments made by head coach Paul Maurice after last night's game, Lundell had an upper-body injury and would need further evaluation.

Without Tkachuk and Barkov, Florida's standing in the tightly packed Atlantic Division may have taken a serious hit. Whether or not they can not only return to the playoffs but once again compete for the Cup will depend on how everyone else on the team steps up their own game.

The Chicago Blackhawks will take on the Panthers in the 1st game of the year on October 7, which will also be the 1st game behind the bench for new Blackhawks head coach Jeff Blashill.

It also begins the 3rd year in the NHL for 2023 1st overall pick Connor Bedard, who is now in a contract year and has yet to be signed to a new contract beyond 2026.