Flashing back just a season ago and we were telling a different Aleksander Barkov story. Another season of under 70 games played, another major injury, more question marks. And all of it would’ve been fair questions. Barkov finished the 2016-17 season, his fourth as a pro, with just 62 games on the ice, but the signs of a future superstar was telling with 52 points recorded in those 62 games played.
Fast forward a year later: a year of a new coach, a new system, new linemates and suddenly the narrative on the 22 year-old Barkov has changed.