A CAPTAIN AND A CHAMPION

Aleksander Barkov made history as the first Panthers captain to lead his team to a Stanley Cup championship. He was also the first Finland-born captain to win the Stanley Cup. Sasha’s numbers on the stat sheet were great: a team-best 22 points in the 2024 playoffs (tied with Matthew Tkachuk), including four game-winning goals. But it was Barkov’s veteran presence with the franchise that benefited the Cats the most. “Best teammate I’ve ever had,” said Tkachuk. “Best player. Best leader. … He’s been here for a long time, through the ups and downs, and he deserves this as much as anybody.