One of the benefits of playing in Florida is that most people haven't paid attention to the franchise for years, so a player can fly under the radar. The negative is the same as the benefit because players that deserve much more praise for what they bring to the table might go largely unnoticed.
Such is the case with Aleksander (Sasha) Barkov, although a few people are paying attention since he was nominated for the cover of EA NHL '17!
He is garnering a very respectable reputation in opposing locker rooms for his consistent, excellent play at both ends of the ice.
It's no surprise those on the inside have to be aware of him at all times.
The 2nd overall draft pick from 2013 showed plenty of promise as a rookie, scoring 8 goals with 16 assists in 54 games. He followed that up the next season with 16 goals and 20 assists in 71 games. Last year he continued to blossom with 28 goals and 31 assists with a plus 18 rating in only 66 games.
The injury bug has not been kind to him, but if you take last year's numbers and spread them out over 82 games, he's a top 5 center/forward in the NHL. He's practically doubled his goals total every year...
...and he's only 20 years old.
Add to the pile his disciplined play which resulted in a Lady Byng nomination last year and he is improving in ways never seen in South Florida.
With a dry sense of humor and still learning English, he is a locker room favorite. His banter with 44-year-old linemate Jaromir Jagr is always great fodder for the media, and he is truly becoming a leader by example on the ice.
While his quiet persona may never make him a candidate for team captain, what does a letter on the jersey mean when you have a potential 40-goal scorer that also locks down opposing top lines?
That is what the Panthers have in Barkov.
I will admit I was skeptical when former GM Dale Tallon chose him 2nd overall in 2013. He was an unknown product to most in North America because of his playing in Finland, but he was a boy playing in a man's league for years.
He needed some time to adjust the NHL style of play and rink size, and by the incredible improvement from season to season it's clear he is learning how to be elite in this league.
Sidney Crosby, either correctly or incorrectly, is considered the best center and possibly forward in the NHL. Last year in 80 games he amassed 36 goals and 49 assists with a plus 19 rating. Give Barkov another 14 games last year and his numbers would be nipping at Crosby's heels.
Again at 20 years old.
To be fair Crosby came out flying to start his career. Four of his first five years were 100+ point seasons. Barkov may never see 100 points in a season because the NHL that has changed so much since Crosby's early days really doesn't allow for the possibility. Sure Patrick Kane's 106 points last year was incredible, but it's hardly a norm in this offensively challenged league.
What the potential is for Barkov we may not know for three or four more years, and the immeasurables may not be clearly evident. His overall progression is clear as day. After Jagr is gone who knows what will happen with Barkov's production, with or without Huberdeau. Will Jagr's spirit and teaching live on through him or will he regress? Time will tell.
If his current track of improvement continues, there is no reason why Barkov couldn't be in the top 5 in NHL points next season, health permitting. While most in South Florida already know a star is born, only then will he truly land on the NHL map. Management and ownership certainly have done their part to surround him with great talent from top to bottom.
When Pavel Bure had his moment in the sun with the Panthers from 1999-2002, he brought people to the games and to their feet. He won two consecutive Maurice "Rocket" Richard trophies as a Cat with 58 and 59 goals and was the last true offensive star the Panthers had until this current roster came to be. While I don't see a 50-goal scorer on this team, there are definitely 5 potential 30-goal scorers. That is the type of production that will help this team take the next step.
Barkov might have the highest ceiling and biggest impact of them all...league wide.
Dan Spiegel
Florida Panthers Media
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