George Richards, FHN Publisher
For the first time since he has been a member of the Florida Panthers, Sasha Barkov’s name has been brought up in trade rumors.
On Thursday night, TSN NHL Insider Frank Seravalli reported that Barkov is a player general managers around the league were checking up on to see if he is available.
Barkov, who has been with the Panthers since he was the third overall pick in 2013, has two seasons left on his contract at a very team-friendly price of $5.9 million per.
Seravalli’s report was based on whether Florida will be able to sign Barkov to a new deal, and if not, would they trade him?
And that, he surmised, is why other GMs are calling Florida’s Bill Zito to see if Barkov is indeed available.
News flash: He is not.
Those GMs checking in to see who is available are hearing Keith Yandle, yes; Sasha Barkov no.
“I did hear some things but I do not think they are true, I haven’t had any talks with anyone,” Barkov said Friday morning.
“Bill talked to me right away, he told me they aren’t true. So, it’s all good and I am concentrating on the start of the season. Thank you for mentioning this is my first time being mentioned in trade rumors.”
Barkov has been one of the centerpieces of the Florida Panthers since he was drafted.
In 2016, Barkov signed a six-year contract extension with the Panthers which expires after the 2021-22 season.
No work has been done on a new contract goes — because no work is allowed to be done on one just yet.
The Panthers can’t even talk to Barkov about a new contract until this season is over. In the summer, the two sides could work out a new deal.
Right now, they can’t do anything.
Barkov has reiterated that he wants to remain with the Panthers and there is no reason to not believe him. Barkov has never expressed a displeasure with the Panthers nor the way the organization has treated him.
“I obviously want to stay here, I want to win here. My biggest goal is to win here,” Barkov said.
“I’m trying everything I can do to help this team win. I don’t know where the rumors are coming from but it’s OK. Hockey is a business. It’s probably good that someone is talking about it.”
Everyone within the Panthers front office believe a new contract with Barkov will get done — once they can even start talking about it.
Which is months away.
Barkov is not going anywhere, anytime soon.
”I think (hearing Barkov named in trade rumors) is surprising to us, too because I talked to Bill and nothing is being mentioned,” coach Joel Quenneville said.
“That’s where that is at. Barky has had a great training camp coming off an ordinary season that followed a great season. He looks like he is going to start the season on a great note.”