Report: Panthers sign Aleksander Barkov to six-year, $35.4 million extension
The Florida Panthers reportedly have locked up Aleksander Barkov for six more seasons.
The Panthers have signed the center to a six-year, $35.4 million deal, according to the Miami Herald.
.@Barkovsasha95 #FlaPanthers sign C Sasha Barkov to a 6-year contract for $35.4m ($5.9 AAV, starts next year at 4.25, ends 2022 at $7.75)
— George Richards (@GeorgeRichards) January 25, 2016
Barkov's new deal will kick in next season and will carry a $5.9 million AAV until the 2022 season.
Barkov is the Panthers' second forward under the age of 25 to sign a long-term forward commitment. Last year, forward Nick Bjugstad signed a six-year, $24.6 million deal.
Since he was drafted with the second-overall pick in the 2013 draft, Barkov has proven in his two-and-a-half seasons that he can be relied on as the Panthers' No. 1 center. The 20-year-old has 36 goals and 54 assists in 163 career games.
Florida chose to forego the normal bridge deal set for players coming off an entry-level contract. While the commitment could be a bit risky for some players, Barkov has played extremely well this season centering Jonathan Huberdeau and Jaromir Jagr. While the commitment is rare, if Barkov continues his upward trends of performance, paying the center $5.9 million for six seasons could end up being extremely beneficial.
Barkov will become an unrestricted free agent when his new contract expires in 2022.
Tommy Chalk writes about the NHL and NFL for FOX Sports. You can follow him on Twitter @Tommy_Chalk
