All of a sudden the Florida Panthers look like a team that could compete for several years to come, and tonight they took one more step in the right direction by signing one of their young stars for the long-term.
According to a report from George Richards of the Miami Herald the Panthers have signed center Aleksander Barkov, arguably their franchise player at just 20 years old, to a 6 year contract worth $35.4 million dollars, an average annual value of $5.9 million.
There's no doubt this is a great deal for the Panthers, who despite giving Barkov a hefty pay raise, have bought themselves several years of control on one of the best up and coming centers in the National Hockey League, and centers are currently at a premium.
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.@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