Quote:
Originally Posted by Pierre "Monster" McGuire
Obviously if the Flames don't get a top 2 pick for either MacKinnon or Jones, I'd like them to get Barkov. Tenacity of a Fin, but the skill of a Russian.
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I don't know if that's a good way to describe him but he does look pretty good. He plays the centre position well at both ends, he uses his size to protect the puck, good hands close to the net, great passing, smart, low key - and he just turned 17 this fall. Acceleration isn't terribly explosive and I don't know how great his shot is further away from the net at this point. Seems like a Joe Thornton type in many ways.
Fun fact: he's been playing on the same line with Ville Nieminen this season.