The Florida Panthers dynamic duo of Aleksander Barkov and Sam Bennett were ranked third in The Athletic’s Every NHL team’s top-6 center duos, ranked from best to worst article. Barkov and Bennett were placed in the second tier (Elite) with Colorado’s Nathan MacKinnon and Brock Nelson. Edmonton’s Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl topped the list, as they were only duo ranked Generational. Here’s what writer Harman Dayal had to be say about Barkov and Bennett:
This might be a tad too high for some people’s taste, but hear me out. Sure, if we strictly look at point totals and regular-season results, Barkov and Bennett wouldn’t quite deserve to rank this high. However, there’s so much they do beyond the boxcar stats, and their elite playoff track record has to be a major consideration as well.
Barkov is a top-five center in the NHL based on his all-around impact. He’s produced 1.15 points per game since 2021-22 (a 95-points-per-82-games pace), which ranks seventh-best among all centers in that span, but what truly separates him is his status as the best defensive forward on the planet. Barkov is a three-time Selke Trophy winner. He’s been on the ice for only 1.64 goals against per 60 at five-on-five since 2023-24, which is by far the best mark among all first-line centers. Barkov also deserves credit for limiting McDavid to only eight five-on-five points across two Cup Final series in 2023 and 2024.
There will be questions about whether Barkov will need time to shake off rust after missing all of last season recovering from ACL and MCL surgery, but his dominant performance leading Finland to gold at the World Championships this summer should reduce those concerns.
Bennett is coming off a 26-goal, 58-point campaign. More importantly, he’s a Conn Smythe winner with a proven clutch gene, as he’s scored 51 points in 62 games across his last three playoff runs. It’s why he got the nod to play for Team Canada at the 4 Nations and Olympics. Bennett is also one of the most physical players in the league. You can argue that he’s dirty and gets away with too much, but there’s no denying that his antics and gamesmanship are effective nonetheless.
Panthers prospect Shea Busch is on Team Canada’s roster at the World Junior Summer Showcase in Windsor, ON. Canada will take on Sweden tonight at 7 p.m. in its first game of the event. Busch was leading the WHL in goals (with 13 in 12 games) before an upper-body injury (wrist) cost him the rest of the regular season. He returned to produce seven goals and six assists in 16 postseason games for the Everett Silvertips, who won the league championship and played in the Memorial Cup.
The Panthers announced that the 2026 Amerigol LATAM Cup will return for the eighth annual tournament, held August 1-9, 2026, with games played at Florida Panthers IceDen in Coral Springs. Attendance to all LATAM Cup events is open to the public and supported by the Florida Panthers, the NHL and NHLPA via the Industry Growth Fund. Tickets are available for sale now at AmerigolHockey.com.
The Charlotte Checkers have signed forward Kasper Lundell to a one-year, two-way AHL contract. Lundell, 22, is the younger brother of Panthers forward Anton Lundell. The native of Espoo, Finland, played last season for HIFK of SM-liiga, recording three goals and four assists in 38 games.
The Anaheim Ducks acquired and signed restricted free agent center Sean Farrell to a one-year, two-way deal worth $850K at the NHL level. Originally drafted by the Montreal Canadiens, Farrell put up 17 goals and 36 assists in 72 games with the AHL’s Laval Rocket last season.
Going back to Montreal in the trade was restricted free agent forward Sasha Pastujov. The 23-year-old was selected by the Ducks in the third round of the 2021 draft. He has yet to make his NHL debut, amassing 21 goals and 57 points in 71 games with the AHL’s San Diego Gulls in 2025-26.