Sasha Huttunen’s comment: Big news for Leijon – the truth about Aleksander Barkov was revealed

Finland–Switzerland 4–5 years

325 days. That’s a long time between two hockey games.

So long that Skåne’s spring sun shone from a clear sky in Ängelholm, when Alexander Barkov played his first match of the season in the southern Swedish municipality.

When Barkov raised Lord Stanley’s toast in Florida on June 17, 2025, he hardly expected such a turn of events.

A knee injury in September destroyed the plans for the Olympic season.

On Thursday, Barkov opened his season, when a large part of the world’s top players have already finished or are about to finish theirs. Barkov’s first game was the Euro Hockey Tour afternoon match against Switzerland in the empty Catena arena.

Wearing the white jersey of the Lions and the captain’s letter C on his chest, Barkov crouched down for the middle start Nico Hischier against. The puck stays.

Finland’s best hockey player was back.

Barkov promised at Wednesday’s media conference that he has not come to Leijon to take care of his knee. He would immediately play all situations to the fullest.

Very piti.

Barkov drove into tight gaps and moved in such a way that almost a year’s break from the games did not notice him in any way.

He held the puck, used his strengths and provided scoring opportunities for his teammates Fly to Hämeenaho and Janne Kuokkanen.

Barkov played in Finland’s number one dominance, Anton Lundell, Jesse Puljujärvidefender Ville Heinola and initiated Aatu Räty.

In the second set, Barkov made a rare miscue in front of his own goal. He made up for his mistakes in the same change by passing through Puljujärvi all by himself.

Barkov’s coming back is already a tough thing for the confidence of the Lions. He makes others better.

After each period, Barkov applauded all his teammates as he left the ice.

Barkov’s return made even the hall announcer in the rural idyll of Ängelholm so excited that he shouted his name during the player introduction.

Barkov’s knee was operated on on September 25. At that time, the recovery time was estimated to be 7–9 months.

He returned seven months and 12 days after surgery.

Is it Lions one of the biggest favorites for the World Cup gold this spring? It is, because Barkov is involved.

With Barkov, it is a completely conceivable scenario that we will meet at the market in the last hours of May and even more nicely in the middle of June.

Barkov was the first NHL confirmation announced by the Ice Hockey Federation on April 16. Anton Lundell came in the same announcement. Since then, NHL names have been dropped at an almost unprecedented rate.

Barkov’s presence has an appeal.

The Lions have 13 NHL or AHL players and all of them – with the exception of Barkov – have played in the NHL this season. Topias Vilenia and Aatu Rätä has not yet been named to the final World Cup team, but the selections are likely. Keeper Joonas Korpisalodefenders Henri Jokihar and Nikolas Matipalo and the attacker Teuvo Teräväinen fly directly to Switzerland to the competition venue.

Barkov, Lundell and the goalkeeper Justus Annunendefenders Olli Määtä, Urho Vaakanainen and Ville Heinola and striker Lenni Hämeenaho play in Ängelholm with a match ticket in their back pocket.

Switzerland against Leijonien’s most effective chain was the second half led by Lundell (powers 0+3) on his wings Sakari Manninen and Lake Puljujärvi. Puljujärvi scored Finland’s first goal, a lightning bolt, from Lundell’s kick Vili Saarijärvi shot another from Pak’s place.

Puljujärvi scored his second goal of the afternoon and Finland’s tie at 4–4 with a dominant shot in front of the goal.

Finland’s third goal was scored by the powerhouse of the foursome Saku Mäenalanen.

Switzerland won in the penalty shootout. Barkov was Finland’s only successful player.

Barkov’s The World Cup project has now been upgraded.

The season of the Florida Panthers says everything about Barkov’s value. Barkov missed all 82 regular season games. The Panthers did not make the playoffs.

Barkov also missed all six Olympic matches of the Lions in Milan in February. Reaching the bronze was a great performance from Finland.

If everything goes according to plan, Barkov will play his thirteenth game of the season on Sunday, May 31 at 9:20 p.m. and end it the same way he did his NHL season in Florida last summer. As captain, raising the trophy in the air.