Aleksander Barkov was added Friday to the Atlantic Division roster for the 2023 Honda NHL All-Star Weekend.
The Florida Panthers middle will change Toronto Maple Leafs middle Auston Matthews, who’s unable to take part due to a knee sprain.
Barkov is second on the Panthers with 44 factors (13 objectives, 31 assists) in 41 video games this season. It’s his second All-Star choice (2018).
“It means so much. It wasn’t straight away, however I will nonetheless take it,” Barkov mentioned Friday. “It is at house right here in Florida, so it means much more. I am actually pleased and honored and proud to be right here.”
Barkov mentioned he did not have plans to go wherever through the All-Star break.
“This place is trip and work for me on the identical time,” he mentioned.
He’ll be a part of teammate Matthew Tkachuk, a ahead who leads Florida with 64 factors (25 objectives, 39 assists), on the Atlantic roster. The Panthers are internet hosting the 2023 Honda NHL All-Star Sport at FLA LIVE Area in Dawn, Florida, on Feb. 4 (3 p.m. ET; ABC, ESPN+, CBC, SN, TVAS).
Matthews, who has 53 factors (25 objectives, 28 assists) in 47 video games this season, will probably be sidelined for at the very least three weeks after being injured in a 3-2 time beyond regulation win in opposition to the New York Rangers on Wednesday.
[RELATED: More 2023 NHL All-Star Game coverage]
The All-Star Sport will function a three-game match, performed in a 3-on-3 format and showcasing groups from every NHL division. Every of the 4 groups will embody 9 skaters and two goalies.
The Pacific Division will play the Central Division within the first All-Star Sport semifinal, adopted by the Atlantic taking up the Metropolitan Division.
The 2023 NHL All-Star Abilities introduced by DraftKings Sportsbook will happen Feb. 3 (7 p.m. ET, ESPN, ESPN+, SN, TVAS).
NHL.com unbiased correspondent Alain Poupart contributed to this report
