Barkov will be an unrestricted, free agent in the next summer
Pierre LeBrun, of The Athletic reports that the Florida Panthers and Aleksander Barkov, their captain, have reached an agreement for an eight-year extension to their contract. The average annual value of the new contract is $10 million. The new contract will offer signing bonuses worth more than $70 million.
Barkov, 26 years old, was in the last year of a $65.4 million, six-year deal he signed in 2016. After the 2021-22 season, the Panthers’ star center would have been unrestricted and free to sign a new deal. Barkov will earn $7.75million this season, the last year of the previous agreement.
The No. 2 pick in the 2013 NHL Draft by the Panthers was originally chosen for the Panthers captain. The Panthers selected Barkov as the No. 2 pick in the 2013 NHL Draft. Barkov will begin his ninth professional season. He is coming off an impressive year, in which he scored 58 points (26 goals, 32 assists) in 50 games.
The 2018-19 season was his best, with a record-breaking 96 points (35 goals, 61 assists). Barkov’s career totals 465 points (185 goals and 284 assists) during his time in Florida.
Barkov was awarded the Selke Trophy, an award that is given annually to the NHL’s top defensive forward. Barkov was also named to the Finnish roster for 2022 Beijing Olympics earlier this October.
