Barkov under contract with the Panthers for the next eight seasons

Aleksander Barkov initialed an eight-year contract extension with the Florida Panthers on Friday. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The 26-year-old center will run out of the last season of a six-year contract he signed on January 26, 2016 and he could have become a free agent without compensation at the end of the campaign.

TO READ : Barkov to represent Finland at the Olympics

“I am very happy to be staying here for a long time,” said Barkov. Now the work begins again.

“I am very happy that this is settled. With everything that happened with the team, I was happy to be back for the season. Amazing people handled all of this for me, so I didn’t have to worry too much about it. « 

Barkov led the Panthers with 26 goals in 50 games last season and finished second with 58 points, behind Jonathan huberdeau (61). He had seven points (one goal, six assists) in seven Stanley Cup Playoff games.

Barkov, who is entering his fourth season as Panthers captain, also won the Selke Trophy as the NHL’s top defensive forward last season. He had won the Lady Byng Trophy for his sportsmanship in 2018-19.

« He is the pillar around which we are building, whether it is in terms of culture or leadership, » said Chief Executive Officer Bill Zito. « If you talk to his teammates, you will see in their words, their tone and their gestures how much ‘Sasha’ is appreciated. He sets an example with his attention to detail. »

Selected by the Panthers for second overall in the 2013 NHL Draft, Barkov has 465 points (181 goals, 284 assists) in 529 regular season games as well as 14 points (four goals, 10 assists) in 16 playoff games. playoffs.

He ranks second for goals, assists and points in Panthers history, behind Olli Jokinen for goals (188) and Huberdeau for assists (330) and points (498).

“I want to be here for a long time,” said Barkov. Being part of the organization that drafted me, which gave me a chance to play and develop into the player and the person that I am right now – and to be able to stay here as long as possible – is something very important to me. I loved every moment here. I’ve spent my career there and never thought of anything other than playing here and trying to win the Stanley Cup. « 

Barkov was one of the first three players to be named on Finland’s roster for the 2022 Beijing Olympics. He had helped Finland win the bronze medal at the 2014 Olympics in Sochi.