Panthers' Barkov 'looks good' after not playing since February with knee injury

Florida Panthers forward Aleksander Barkov was excused early from the team's development camp after participating in the first two days of the festivities, as general manager Dale Tallon told the Miami Herald the Panthers want to ensure he's 100 percent ready for training camp.

Barkov's attendance was by no means necessary; an impressive showing as a rookie guarantees a roster spot come October. The 18-year-old's 2013-14 season came to a premature halt after a knee injury suffered at the Olympics, and the Panthers simply wanted to make sure his recovery is on the right track.

"He has nothing to prove to me," Tallon said. "We brought him in just to look at him, evaluate him. He looks good."

In 54 games with the Panthers last season, Barkov scored eight goals and added 16 assists.