in Finland, the Panthers captain, somehow able to sleep through the non-stop rings and buzzes, awoke on Saturday to a wave of congratulations from friends, family, teammates and others after it was announced he’d won the Frank J.
Named on 92 of the 100 ballots submitted by the PHWA , Barkov essentially ran away with the Selke this season, earning 62 first-place votes and 780 voting points.
“This is one of the biggest honors I’ve had in my life and in my hockey career.
Helping the Panthers achieve their lowest goals-against average while also posting a career-high 54.9% winning percentage in the dot this season.
With two-way play typically factoring in heavily among Selke voters, Barkov also impressed on the offensive side of the puck.
“This recognition of Sasha’s ability stands as a testament to his growth as a player and as a leader,” Panthers General Manager Bill Zito said of Barkov’s latest honor in a release from the team.
A model of consistency in all three zones, Barkov, despite facing down the opposition’s top lines during most games, also helped the Panthers grow into one of the best possession teams in the NHL this season, with their 53.5 CF% at 5-on-5 finishing as the fifth-best mark in the league.
“I played the way I really wanted to, starting from Game 1 and almost all the way through the end.
Not turning 26 until September, it’s safe to assume that this won’t be the last time Barkov is in the conversation for the Selke.
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