The son of Alexander Barkov Sr., a former Russia national team member who played 10 years with Tappara of Liiga, the top pro league in Finland, Alexander Barkov has not only upheld the family reputation, he's enhanced it.

When Barkov, a center, made his Liiga debut with his father's former team Oct. 1, 2011 at 16 years, 29 days old, he became the youngest player in league history to score a point. It was the beginning of a trend.

At 16 years, four months, Barkov became the youngest player ever chosen to play for Finland in the IIHF World Junior Championship and youngest to score a goal when he scored in the 2012 quarterfinals against Slovakia.

The Florida Panthers selected Barkov with the No. 2 pick in the 2013 NHL Draft. At 18 years, 31 days, he became the youngest player to score a goal in his NHL debut since Don Raleigh (17 years, 147 days) of the New York Rangers on Nov. 21, 1943. Barkov beat Kari Lehtonen in Florida's 4-2 win against the Dallas Stars on Oct. 3, 2013.

Barkov had a breakout season in 2015-16. He signed a six-year contract Jan. 26, scored 59 points (28 goals, 31 assists) in 66 games and helped Florida win the Atlantic Division title. In 2017-18, he took another step toward becoming one of the elite centers in the NHL by scoring 78 points (27 goals, 51 assists) in 79 games. He played in the 2018 Honda NHL All-Star game, led the NHL with five shorthanded goals and was a finalist for the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy, awarded to player judged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability.

Barkov was named Panthers captain Sept. 17, 2018, scored his first NHL hat trick in a 4-3 overtime win against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Dec. 15 and became the first Panthers player with five assists in one game, a 6-2 win against the Minnesota Wild on March 8, 2019. He won the Lady Byng Trophy after getting four minor penalties during the season.

He had another standout season in 2020-21, leading the Panthers with 26 goals and helping Florida post its best-ever points percentage (.705; 37-14-5). He also led Florida forwards in takeaways (39) and time on ice per game (20:56), and set personal bests in face-off winning percentage (54.9 percent) and shot attempts percentage (58.6 percent) and was voted the winner of the Selke Trophy as the best defensive forward in the NHL.

Barkov has scored at least 20 goals and at least 52 points in each of the past six seasons.

NOTES & TRANSACTIONS

• Played in NHL All-Star Game (2018)