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Florida Panthers: Highlighting Aleksander Barkov’s Career Year

By Sam Golub

TORONTO, ON - MARCH 25: Florida Panthers Center Aleksander Barkov (16) skates with the puck during the third period of the NHL regular season game between the Florida Panthers and the Toronto Maple Leafs on March 25, 2019, at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, ON, Canada. (Photo by Julian Avram/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - MARCH 25: Florida Panthers Center Aleksander Barkov (16) skates with the puck during the third period of the NHL regular season game between the Florida Panthers and the Toronto Maple Leafs on March 25, 2019, at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, ON, Canada. (Photo by Julian Avram/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Following an absolutely sensational 2017-18 NHL campaign, the Florida Panthers named superstar centerman Aleksander Barkov as the team’s next captain. How would the Finnish sensation perform during the 2018-19 season?

The 23-year-old native of Finland was certainly impressive during the 2018 season. In 79 NHL regular-season games, “Barky” registered 27G, 51A, for 78 points (nearly a point per game pace).

Essentially, Aleksander Barkov clearly established himself as a dominant centerman in the National Hockey League.

Additionally, Barkov also recorded a plus/minus rating of +9, as well as five shorthanded goals.

His efforts nearly propelled the Florida Panthers towards the playoffs, missing only by one point (96 points) behind the New Jersey Devils. Ultimately, his outstanding play earned himself well-deserved recognition around the league.

Barkov finished in 3rd place for the Lady Byng Trophy race and 4th for the Selke Trophy race. Effectively, the 2019 NHL campaign was a year in which Aleksander Barkov would prove all doubters wrong and earn himself the highly coveted hardware (Lady Byng and/or Selke).

The 2018-19 season was undoubtedly a highly disappointing one for the Florida Panthers as a whole. However, the 2019 season was certainly one for the record books for Captain Aleksander Barkov.

While participating in all 82 regular-season contests for the Panthers, the potent two-way center recorded a phenomenal slash line of 35G, 61A, for 96 points on the year.

In essence, Aleksander Barkov broke Pavel Bure’s single-season record for most points in a regular season (94 points for Bure).

Barkov entered the final game of the season tied with Bure at 94 but scored and assisted against the Devils to surpass the “Russian Rocket’s” tally.

Also, Barky established career-high marks in numerous categories for himself, including goals (35), assists (61), points (96), power-play points (31), shooting percentage (17%), faceoffs won (1041), faceoff percentage (53.7%), and takeaways (100).

In essence, Aleksander Barkov did a tremendous job in terms of creating offense single-handedly, as well as generating scoring chances for his fellow linemates.

Furthermore, Barkov contributed tremendously towards the success experienced by first line linemates Evgeni Dadonov and Jonathan Huberdeau.

Without Barkov’s superb passing and scoring abilities, Huberdeau and Dadonov wouldn’t have experienced the same success.

Huberdeau recorded a 92-point season and Dadonov recorded a 70-point season while playing alongside Barkov on the top line.

The Panthers’ top line was indubitably the team’s most consistent and successful line on the team, recording over 250 points combined as a unit.

Barkov also entered the Florida Panthers record books assists-wise, registering the second most assists in a single season in franchise history (61 assists).

Additionally, Barkov finished among the top of the NHL in takeaways, recording an impressive 100 steals during the regular season.

Moreover, his performances on the defensive end of the ice rival his performances on the offensive end of the ice quite nicely.

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Barky finished top 10 in the NHL in terms of point production with 96 points, hence conveying the electrifying skillset and talent he possesses offensively.

Considering Barkov is ONLY 23 years of age, he will absolutely shatter numerous franchise records for the Florida Panthers in the foreseeable future.

As well, with the addition of three-time Stanley Cup Champion Joel Quenneville as the team’s newly appointed Head Coach, there’s no doubt that the Panthers will return to prominence, once again.

With Aleksander Barkov leading the charge and Quenneville behind the bench, the Florida Panthers have certainly transformed themselves as a Stanley Cup contender in the Atlantic Division.

Aleksander Barkov unequivocally does a phenomenal job in terms of leading by example and will continue improving on a yearly basis.

In short, Barkov has already obtained superstar status, so reaching the playoffs and making a deep run are the next objectives on Barkov’s list as the team’s captain.

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Objectively speaking, don’t be surprised if Barkov records 100 points during the 2020 season and helps the Cats reach the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2016.

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