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Sandman · 01-16-2025, 08:11 PM

Draft Thoughts (American Edition, Vol. 16):

LD Asher Barnett (6'1",185lbs)
NTDP: 32gp/ 2g/ 8a/ 10pts, -8, 18 PIM

I became a big fan of Barnett's after watching him perform in the CHL-USA Prospects Challenge, where he was one of the precious few who was able to slow down the onrushing Canadian onslaught on behalf of the widely outmatched Americans. Barnett played a chippy physical game that put a target on his back after every whistle, and he was even a little mean at times. Like most of his compatriots, his game was far from mistake-free, but he flashed moments of higher-end puck-movement, highlighted by some breakouts that gave his teammates some odd-man rushes. Best of all, he made some huge stops against top-tier talent. Barnett is one of those players who is not elite in any one area, and not dynamic in any way, but is good at everything- he's a solid two-way D who is has been cast in a defensive role right now, but he shows upside as a puck-mover.

Barnett will never be mistaken for Kashawn Aitcheson, but he employs a hard-nosed physical game, and likes to punish his opponents. He will join the rush to open space and cause havok, and will likewise activate from the point into the play. Though he isn't currently a big scoring threat, he does own a hard, heavy shot with a quick release that he doesn't let loose enough, and mostly uses as a playmaking tool to create rebound and tip chances. Barnett will also never be mistaken for Jackson Smith, but he does get around the ice smoothly and effortlessly, with a strong skating stride and lateral agility that allows him to surf across wide swaths of ice to seal off the boards from an oncoming attacker. Defense is where he shines the most, as he's quite reliable in his own zone, and proficient at snuffing the rush by diagnosing threats early, angling his mark to the outside, and often times stopping his opponent before making entry with poke checks, or a stiff jolt. Inside the zone, he proactively wins body position and ties up sticks before the puck arrives. Barnett displays intelligence and poise in retrievals, often shaking off pressure with deft fakes and other forms of deception, and he usually makes a fine first-pass, although like most of his peers- he's not mistake-free. He isn't infallible, and can be beaten on occasion, and in other instances, make errors under duress. As he showed in the CHL-USA Prospects Game, he displays the vision and passing skill to connect on the more high-end breakout passes.

Barnett possesses some NHL qualities, and hopefully he can develop another dimension at the University of Michigan, where has committed to for the 2026-27 season. I'm thinking third-rounder here, but he surely won't make it past the fourth round.

01-16-2025, 08:11 PM	#728
Sandman Franchise Player Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Calgary Exp:	Draft Thoughts (American Edition, Vol. 16): LD Asher Barnett (6'1",185lbs) NTDP: 32gp/ 2g/ 8a/ 10pts, -8, 18 PIM I became a big fan of Barnett's after watching him perform in the CHL-USA Prospects Challenge, where he was one of the precious few who was able to slow down the onrushing Canadian onslaught on behalf of the widely outmatched Americans. Barnett played a chippy physical game that put a target on his back after every whistle, and he was even a little mean at times. Like most of his compatriots, his game was far from mistake-free, but he flashed moments of higher-end puck-movement, highlighted by some breakouts that gave his teammates some odd-man rushes. Best of all, he made some huge stops against top-tier talent. Barnett is one of those players who is not elite in any one area, and not dynamic in any way, but is good at everything- he's a solid two-way D who is has been cast in a defensive role right now, but he shows upside as a puck-mover. Barnett will never be mistaken for Kashawn Aitcheson, but he employs a hard-nosed physical game, and likes to punish his opponents. He will join the rush to open space and cause havok, and will likewise activate from the point into the play. Though he isn't currently a big scoring threat, he does own a hard, heavy shot with a quick release that he doesn't let loose enough, and mostly uses as a playmaking tool to create rebound and tip chances. Barnett will also never be mistaken for Jackson Smith, but he does get around the ice smoothly and effortlessly, with a strong skating stride and lateral agility that allows him to surf across wide swaths of ice to seal off the boards from an oncoming attacker. Defense is where he shines the most, as he's quite reliable in his own zone, and proficient at snuffing the rush by diagnosing threats early, angling his mark to the outside, and often times stopping his opponent before making entry with poke checks, or a stiff jolt. Inside the zone, he proactively wins body position and ties up sticks before the puck arrives. Barnett displays intelligence and poise in retrievals, often shaking off pressure with deft fakes and other forms of deception, and he usually makes a fine first-pass, although like most of his peers- he's not mistake-free. He isn't infallible, and can be beaten on occasion, and in other instances, make errors under duress. As he showed in the CHL-USA Prospects Game, he displays the vision and passing skill to connect on the more high-end breakout passes. Barnett possesses some NHL qualities, and hopefully he can develop another dimension at the University of Michigan, where has committed to for the 2026-27 season. I'm thinking third-rounder here, but he surely won't make it past the fourth round.