Panthers announce 6-year extension with Aleksander Barkov

By foxsports
Published

SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) The Florida Panthers have signed center Aleksander Barkov to a six-year contract extension.

The team announced the $35 million deal Tuesday, one day after the 20-year-old standout revealed the agreement on Twitter. Barkov was the No. 2 overall pick by the Panthers in the 2013 draft, with 12 goals and 18 assists in his first 38 appearances this season.

Barkov would have been a restricted free agent this summer.

Keeping him as part of a young core that also includes All-Star defenseman Aaron Ekblad and forward Jonathan Huberdeau was a clear priority for the Panthers. Florida is in position this year to make the playoffs for just the second time in 15 seasons.