George Richards, FHN Publisher
One of Sasha Barkov’s first introductions to South Florida was not the most pleasant. Not long after being drafted second overall by the Panthers in 2013, Barkov had to go and get his new Florida drivers license.
It took him two tries to get it. Fun.
“I don’t have a car but I have the license,” Barkov said just as his first training camp was starting.
“I failed the first time because I didn’t understand the questions.”
Barkov did not let that little hiccup jade his thoughts on his new home.
From his first introduction to Florida, Barkov said it felt like home.
“I like it here in Florida,” Barkov said. “It’s nice. It’s a place I’m going to enjoy living in. Everyone is nice, I have a lot of friends already. They’ve helped me very much.”
His affection for the place has only grown over the years.
And, Florida digs him as well.
Since he first arrived on the scene, Barkov has evolved into one of the top centers in the entire National Hockey League.
On Sunday, Barkov was named one of three finalists (Patrice Bergeron, Mark Stone) for the Frank J. Selke Trophy which goes to the NHL forward who “demonstrates the most skill in the defensive component of the game.’’
Barkov, who ended his season with 26 goals and 58 points in 50 games, is the favorite to win it.
If he does, it would be the first major player award won by a Florida player since Aaron Ekblad won the Calder Trophy for the NHL’s top rookie in 2015.
Jonathan Huberdeau also won the Calder the year Florida drafted Barkov.
Winning the Selke would not be the only eventful moment for Barkov and the Panthers this summer.
Barkov, the team’s captain since 2018, can lock up his long-term future in Florida with a new contract.
Although he has one year left on the six-year, $35.4 million deal he signed with the team in 2016, Barkov and the Panthers are believed to be working on a contract which should keep him in the Sunshine State for a long, long time.
If he wasn’t only 25-years-old, one could say this would be the last contract of his NHL career. But Barkov is just now hitting his stride.
As former Panthers captain Olli Jokinen said earlier this year, Barkov is just scratching the surface at how good he can be.
And, as a likely Selke finalist as well as a probable All-NHL center selection as well as a potential finalist for the league MVP award, Barkov is already pretty darned good.
“He’s a good guy, a great player. I am proud of him,’’ Jokinen said right after Barkov passed him to become the Panthers’ No. 2 scorer in franchise history behind Huberdeau.
“He is a guy who was highly drafted, is the face of the team and hopefully the team continues to do well. … There isn’t one bad thing you can say about the guy. He is an unbelievable player who puts the work in.
“Hopefully he can be on a winning team because then we’re talking about a Hall of Fame career. That’s the level he is playing at, that’s the level his career is headed. He is still a baby. Watch him in the next two or three years.”
WORKING A DEAL
Florida general manager Bill Zito has a number of things on his offseason to-do list after a very successful first season.
At the top of that list is getting a deal done with his captain.
Zito has said he and agent Todd Diamond will get to work on an extension once the playoffs were over and, well, here we are.
“It is something that’s paramount for me,” Zito said. “We will address it in short order.”
The Panthers cannot sign Barkov to anything until the NHL’s new year begins — which is expected in late July.
Barkov told FHN before the playoffs started and again when asked in his season-ending media availability that he has not thought much about a new contract.
He did make it clear to FHN that he loves being part of the Panthers and wants to remain here.
Barkov also says he takes pride in helping the Panthers grow the game here in South Florida. The better the team does, he knows, helps that along as well.
“When I first got here, I really felt this was the best place on Earth to be,” Barkov said. “Growing the game here is awesome. I know the Panthers organization does a great job.
“You notice it every year, how much hockey grows here. Winning helps. We’re trying to do our part on the ice and I will do anything off the ice as well.”
ROOTS IN THE COMMUNITY
Barkov, who resides in Boca Raton, has made a conscious effort to become part of his community.
He loves the Miami Heat and pays attention to the other teams in the area.
Barkov has also made a financial commitment to the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Foundation in Hollywood.
Not only does Barkov contribute $1,600 for each goal he scores and $800 for each assist, he also provides a suite at the BB&T Center for each home game to support those connected to hospital.
Barkov seems to get great joy each game when the Panthers show his suite filled with families each game.
Per the hospital, Barkov’s donations this season — simply based on his stats and not including what he pays for the suite — was close to $75,000.
“I’m really happy and honored that I can do that for the Joe DiMaggio Hospital,’’ Barkov said. “They really do an incredible job with the kids and all their families, helping and taking care of them. I decided I wanted to help in some way too. I score and donate money to help them.
“I love that the kids get to come to our games, every game is full of kids, families and healthcare workers from the hospital. That makes me happy. I am looking forward to continuing to do that.”