Panthers' Barkov after extension: I'll work even harder

The Florida Panthers on Tuesday signed center Aleksander Barkov to a six-year contract extension.

Financial terms were not disclosed. The Miami Herald reported the contract, which runs through the 2021-22 season, is worth $35.4 million.

"I love to be here," Barkov said during a press conference Tuesday. "I like coming here every morning and working hard. This is a good spot for me. The team is going in the right direction. It's good to know right now I'm going to be here for the next six years. I feel safe, but I'm not going to stop working. I'll work even harder and get better."

The Panthers selected Barkov with the second pick in the 2013 NHL Draft. His entry-level contract expires July 1; his salary-cap charge this season is $925,000, according to war-on-ice.com.

"Another great day for the Florida Panthers organization," general manager Dave Tallon said. "Another message sent that we're totally committed to winning in South Florida and I'm excited about that opportunity. I'm excited about our future. These decisions aren't made lightly, making a commitment to a player, but [Barkov] is not only a player -- one of the best players in the League in all three zones of the ice -- but more importantly about [Barkov], it's his character, his passion and his dedication and that made the decision easy for us to commit to a long-term deal. Not only a great player, but a better person and that's what we're all about here -- character and developing a winning culture on and off the ice here in Sunrise, Fla.

"He's going to lead us to the promised land."

Barkov, 20, has 30 points (12 goals, 18 assists) in 38 games this season, and 90 points in 163 NHL games.

Florida (28-15-5) leads the Atlantic Division with 61 points and has won 14 of its past 18 games (14-3-1).

"If we're going to win and we're going to win long-term, you have to have a committed team and a committed organization," executive chairman Peter Luukko said. "It's a very big day and it shows that kind of commitment we have in the organization. I think it's a great message to the fans that this is what it's all about. We're all here to win, and we're all here to grow our organization."

Added Barkov: "We have a pretty good group of young guys on this team. I see a really bright future for this team and organization. I'm really happy to be here."