From Finland, Alexsander Barkov had lofty expectations coming in as the number two overall pick in 2013.  It is safe to say that the Panthers obtained a player who came as adevrtised.

Barkov saw ample playing time as a rookie, but Florida made sure to ease the Center into action.  He had a breakout of sorts in his third year, scoring 59 Points with strong two-way play.  After another 50-Point-plus year,   Barkov increased his production to 78 Points, and then to 96 in 2018-19.  Barkov, who also had impressed people with his clean style of play, won the Lady Byng Trophy.

Barkov built on that success with a Frank J. Selke Trophy in 2020-21, and a playoff appearance.  He would take them to Eastern Conference Semi-Finals last year, and is on an eight-year streak of receiving votes for the Lady Byng and Frank J. Selke.  As the heart and Captain of a young strong team, Barkov is a player who will rise as long he continues to play for Florida, and could go down as the best Panther of all time.