Quote:
Originally Posted by ricardodw
Ville Niemenien at age 35 was the leading scorer on Barkov's team.
Barkov was not dominating.... It is significant that he was playing senior hockey as a 16-17 year old but he was not dominating....
It is just too hard to base the guys play against Canadian senior level hockey league.
The only thing that we really have comparing apples to apples is the WJC where he got 7 pts in 6 games..... Armia and Marcus Granlund got 12 pts in 6 games.
The league that Barkov dominated with 48 pts in 53 games? Little Marcus Granlund as a 19 year old had 34 pts in 47 games.
Mickael Granlund was drafted out of that league in 2010 with 40 pts in 43 games. 3 full seasons later he still is not a full time NHLer or dominating the AHL to the extent that Kolanos dominated in 2010-11
Will Barkov adapt to the culture and the smaller ice...?
If he is not NHL ready.... which I doubt that he is next year where will he play???? AHL for 60k /year? or the CHL for free?
He was the 2nd overall pick in the KHL draft 2012 year. Nichuskin was #11. Zadorov, who came to play in the OHL was #4.
If the Flames are moving up it should not to be to pick Barkov over Monahan.
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Barkov is a better prospect now than what Granlund was at the same age. Everyone feels Barkov is NHL ready. There are very few players in the NHL that have become elite within their first 4 years. Scouts have little doubt that at the very least, Barkov will be in the NHL and contributing quickly.
He has the 'elite' size, skill and hockey IQ already - at 17 years of age (one of the very youngest in the draft). What he accomplished this year in the Finnish league was unreal, and he is one of the prospects this draft who seems able to translate very well into the NHL.
Why you don't agree is a bit perplexing. You compare him to other Euros who's major weaknesses involved either skating or size (or sometimes a combination of the two). Barkov has average to above average skating. Mikael Granlund had below average skating, and a below average physique (just phenomenally high hockey sense and skill).
Also, so what if it takes Barkov 4 years (which I disagree with) to become an effective NHL player? Will the Flames be competing for a cup in that timeframe? I am most concerned with the Flames picking the very best players at whatever position that could become elite players.
Barkov doesn't seem to have any weaknesses to his game, and the kid is one of the youngest, and he is big already. He did dominate - he plays a high-end 2-way game at a professional level. That is a HUGE difference already when you are comparing him to a Marcus Granlund (or his brother), Armia, Kolanos (seriously? You are throwing a career AHL vet who is a career AHL vet because of his offence and absolutely nothing else to his game, and his CONSIDERABLY older when comparing rookies coming over to North America?)
Comparing Barkov to the other players on the WJC roster is also extremely short-sighted. I guess MacKinnon is going to take 4+ years as well, right?
Barkov is a high-end two-way center with size, elite hockey IQ, playmaking ability, scoring and brings a mature and physical game at the young age of 17. You seriously think it is going to take 4+ years and that the Flames should even avoid picking him if by some miracle he happens to be there at 6? I like Monahan, but there is a reason why every single scouting service out there is ranking Barkov ahead of him - and most scouting services are saying there is a drop-off in talent after him (or Nichushkin). There is RARELY a player this young, this big, and who plays such a complete and mature game available in any draft.