Panthers lock up Barkov for 8 years

Aleksander Barkov isn’t leaving South Florida any time soon.

The Florida Panthers’ top-line center and team captain on Friday agreed to an eight-year, $80 million contract extension, keeping him with the Panthers through the 2029-2030 season.

Barkov, 26, is heading into his ninth NHL season and is considered one of the top two-way centers in the league. He ranks second in franchise history in goals (188), assists (284) and points (465).

He was an All-Star in 2018, and the winner of the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy in 2019 and the Frank J. Selke Trophy in 2021. Barkov was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2013 NHL entry draft and has played his entire career with the Panthers.