The Florida Panthers’ Aleksander Barkov last season became the first Finnish-born captain to lead a team to a Stanley Cup. So it was only natural that on Thursday he was named the captain for Team Finland in next month’s 4 Nations Face-Off,

Barkov will lead fellow Finnish Cats Anton Lundell, Eetu Luostarinen and Niko Mikkola at tournament from Feb. 12-20

Representing Finland as the team captain at the 4 Nations Face-Off will be Florida Panthers forward and captain Aleksander "Sasha" Barkov. The Panthers captain was the overwhelming favorite to be given the honor, and now the decision has been made official according to NHL insider Chris Johnston. He shared the news via his X account.

“I’m playing with my food here a little bit,” the Florida Panthers’ veteran coach said.

Among the throngs of South Floridians swept up in the Florida Panthers’ Stanley Cup Championship run last season was a little cluster of fans who cheered on the team from their rooms at Joe

Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov will be donning the "C" for Finland at the 4 Nations Face-Off in February, according to TSN's Chris Johnston. More to come.

Aleksander Barkov and Victor Hedman were named captains for Team Finland and Team Sweden, respectively, on Thursday ahead of the 4 Nations Face-Off.

Celebrini has had his share of highlight-reel plays this season as he entered Saturday’s game against Barkov and the Panthers with 35 points in 39 games. Celebrini’s 15 goals before Saturday’s game led all NHL rookies, even as the Sharks have stumbled to last place in the league’s overall standings.

Matthew Tkachuk had a goal and two assists, Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 30 shots for his second shutout of the season, and the Florida Panthers beat the Los Angeles Kings 3-0 on Wednesday night. Aleksander Barkov and Sam Bennett also scored for the Panthers,

Team Finland will be captained by a Stanley Cup champion at the 4 Nations Face-Off. Aleksander Barkov of the defending champion Florida Panthers will wear the ‘C’ for Finland. Carolina Hurricanes stars Sebastian Aho and Mikko Rantanen, and San Jose Sharks veteran Mikael Granlund, will serve as assistant captains.

Sergei Bobrovsky made 29 saves for his 46th career shutout and second of the season as the Florida Panthers defeated the Los Angeles Kings 3-0 on Wednesday in Sunrise, Fla.

Aleksander Barkov was named captain for Team Finland for the 4 Nations Face-Off on Wednesday.