Only this time, it was Barkov who was bitten by the injury bug.<\/p>\n
The two-time Stanley Cup champion had knee surgery after being injured at training camp on Sept. 25 and will be out an estimated 7-9 months<\/a>, missing the Olympics in the process.<\/p>\n Another major international tournament, another key cog missing for Finland.<\/p>\n Barkov participated in the Olympics once before, as an 18-year-old in Sochi in 2014. Unfortunately, he sustained a lower-body injury in Finland\u2019s second game and missed the rest of the tournament.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s one of the most disappointing things,\u201d Lehtinen said. \u201cHe was so much looking forward to representing Finland again, especially after his Sochi Olympics came to a premature end. And now this.<\/p>\n \u201cI texted him soon afterward. I mean, there\u2019s not a lot of words you can say. I just tried to push his spirits up and let him know, fairly or unfairly, that\u2019s sports.\u201d<\/p>\n Rather than immediately fill Barkov\u2019s spot on the roster, Finland\u2019s hierarchy will instead leave it vacant for the immediate future and use the time to scout potential candidates leading up to the final roster announcement in early January.<\/p>\n \u201cThe first thing is, you feel for the player and the person,\u201d Lehtinen said. \u201cBut injuries happen in sports, and you have to adjust.<\/p>\n \u201cWe still have a lot of great players and leaders, and the enthusiasm is very high. You could tell when we got together with the players in August; they were disappointed when NHL players didn\u2019t go to Beijing in 2022 because of COVID so now they have another chance.\u201d<\/p>\n Finland will still have the likes of Stars forwards Mikko Rantanen<\/a> (32 goals last season) and Roope Hintz<\/a> (28), and Carolina Hurricanes center Sebastian Aho<\/a> (29), who combined for 89 goals last season.<\/p>\n But there is no doubt losing Barkov is a significant blow for a Finland team that has been awarded a medal in four of the past five Olympics, including gold in 2022.<\/p>\n THE SNUB CLUB<\/p>\n Certain players don\u2019t need extra motivation in making a push to be selected for their respective national teams for the Olympics.<\/p>\n Being passed over to play in the 4 Nations Face-Off provided more than enough venomous fuel for that, thank you very much.<\/p>\n Just ask Canadian center Robert Thomas<\/a> of the St. Louis Blues.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was frustrating,\u201d he told NHL.com. \u201cDefinitely came out with a bit of a chip on my shoulder.\u201d<\/p>\n