Quote:
Originally Posted by $ven27
An Olli Jokinen with actual hockey IQ and poise would be a great player.
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Obviously I've made this same point before but intelligence and puck management are in my view Barkov's biggest strengths, so if he peaks at Olli's Florida numbers offensively, he'll be an amazing pick.
He is a guy who reads the play all over the ice, uses his size and awareness to keep the attack going in the offensive zone, and who can make big passing plays and score goals close to the net. Not aggressive but strong one on one. I strongly feel that he's a two-way playmaking center even though scores goals too. It's clear to me that he thinks the game that way already.
I don't know what kind of numbers you can expect from him in the NHL however. I always feel that I have end with a disclaimer that I have no idea if he's a better pick than some other player. All I can say is that his game in Finland is extremely solid and his coach used him in every possible situation. The coach of the second best team in Finland doesn't use a 17-year-old center on the PK for laughs.