Why The NHL Has A ‘Barkov’ Problem
The clock in Sunrise, Florida, had barely struck zero when Aleksander Barkov raised hockey’s heaviest trophy above his head, and a worldwide audience blinked in surprise.
The Florida Panthers—once written off as casual cup tourists—were champions. Yet the still-centered man who led them there hardly looked like the NHL’s newest overlord.
No spotlight-grabbing celebrations, no chest-pounding speeches—just a relieved smile from the first Finland-born captain ever to hoist the Stanley Cup.
But that silver-plated exclamation point was only the surface. Underneath lay a blueprint years in the making—a quiet takeover hidden behind the NHL’s loudest headlines. And what you’re about to learn will change how you watch every face-off from now on.
39 Comments
Barkov is a master at doing whatever is needed of him. There are many goals that aren't made if Barkov wasn't controlling traffic and dishing perfectly.
He is probably the best "all around" player in the NHL.
Barkov does so many things well and he makes them seem so easy that he flies under the radar.
Mcdavid is the best player in the world. However I'd rather built my franchise around Barkov than Mcdavid or Mckinnon every time.
Barkov plays the game the right way
Only thing that matters players Is what other players say about them. Hi from FINLAND 🇫🇮
Barkov doesn't fly under the radar. Guy has been considered one of the most complete player in the league for a few years. If you listened to opinion like these you'd think Gretzky is an underrated player too
The only problem for the NHL is that the most comprehensive player in the entire league is Finnish and not a Canadian or US citizen. BTW 10 mil/season till 2030, is he underpayed? Lundell 5mil/season next 5 yrs. 😃
Literally the best player on the best team in the world! McDavid looks like a bum nearly all the time when he’s playing the Panthers. This man is why
Barkov is the best player in the NHL
Why this is spoiled with music too?
One more.
He’ll pass to Marchand and it’s how they win tomorrow 🏆
Barkov plays chess and others play checkers.
It does not matter who makes the goals, but the team that does them
I think it is more of an Oilers problem, not an NHL problem.
And now he is a 2 time Stanley cup Champion❤🇫🇮
Winner takes it all
Finnish players suck just like Barkov, Selänne, Kurri, Tikkanen, Saku Koivu, Mikko Koivu, Teppo Numminen, Roope Hintz and who else suck so much that i forgot their names 😀
And the team pretty much takes after his play style and demeanor. Deeply skilled and versatile. Calm under pressure and unfazed by outside noise
Thanks for the video, but a bit too much of chaos for me.
Selänne wasn't a captain for Ducks?
on top of being one of the best players in the league, he is one of the classiest players in the game. unselfish, unassuming, always calm and in control of his emotions, and giving of his time- a genuinely nice person.
Great vid, but nobody who knows a bit about hockey underestimates Barkov
McDavid is most skilled player in the NHL, but Barkov is the best player in the NHL.
Winning the cup and the rafter banners are worth more than the money. Leaving behind a lasting memory is the thing.
I will pick Barkov over McDavid even though he will never score as many goals as Connor. He is more versatile and stable!
Superstars vs depth.
Depth always wins in the playoffs
no hating, just feel like this is the third video titled "nhl has a barkov problem" lol
He's basically a third defenseman out there.
In Florida we talk about Barkov, Kucherov, Verhagie, Point. 4 Stanley cups in 5 years.
It's a team sport. You can find players in a hall of fame but there isn't one for the teams. Yet you only win the greatest price with a team. That's what they have done now. TWICE in a row. That team looks like somehing even i miss and want to be part of. Greatest leaders make everyone shine.
A true young leader who is extremely talented on the ice, and off the ice both mentally and physically. Two Stanley Cups is already a huge achievement, and I can only hope he'll get six to beat Tikkanen!
A good offense wins games
A good defense wins titles
He's the second best player in the league , and it's closer than people are ready to admit
Kopitar 2.0
This video as another example of him being overated. Very overated. Being compared to superstars. Reinhardts the best player for the Panthers. So Barkys not the best player on his team.
Goat of the ongoing era. Do not shine, just deliver. And boy, does he? Yes he does. Give him a Zamboni, he´ll fix the ice. Bye bye brimadonnas.
why not show the plays as you describe them??