Last month marked a bittersweet moment for hockey fans as Patrice Bergeron bid farewell to his illustrious 19-season career with the Boston Bruins. While it's undoubtedly a sad day for most, including the Bruins' devoted following, Aleksander Barkov of the Florida Panthers doesn't exactly share the sentiment.
In a recent conversation with Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, the star forward, Barkov, revealed his contentment over Bergeron's departure from the NHL, taking along with him a treasure trove of records, including six Selke Trophies, a Stanley Cup victory, three All-Star showings, and a faceoff percentage that outshone Barkov's own.
One notable aspect that has Barkov looking forward is the change in faceoff dynamics. With Bergeron out of the picture, Barkov's faceoff percentage is set to climb. In response to Bergeron's retirement, Barkov exuberantly shared, «Good line from Aleksander Barkov, saying with Patrice Bergeron retired, his faceoff percentage will go up.»
Barkov has certainly held his ground in the faceoff circle, amassing commendable statistics. However, there's no denying that Bergeron has long been hailed as the faceoff maestro. Now, with the 2023-24 season on the horizon, Barkov sees his chance to make a play for that coveted position.
His career-best faceoff percentage sits at an impressive 56.9%, a feat achieved during the 2021-2022 season. Comparatively, Bergeron boasts an even more remarkable record, having surpassed that number across 12 seasons and maintaining a percentage north of 60% on six occasions.
