Thats why I like what the flames did with Jankowski. Of the players left we had our first pick Jankowski was the top of our list. The flames seeing that the other teams willing to take a flyer on Jankowski were down in the 20-30 range so we trade down to pick him.
How did the Flames know this and how did they know none of those other teams would deal up to 19 to pick him ahead of them?
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Yep, much beyond his years. Not a physical player though despite his size.. same as OJ.
Not in terms of delivering hits, but most of the players in the league already can't beat him on the boards.
He's primarily a playmaker. You can see his intelligence in the awareness of his linemates and in his ability to get the puck to them, not to mention in his overall game. Unfortunately there aren't many highlight reels of 'making good decisions with the puck'.
I assume he's the youngest player to get 20 goals in the history of the league, but that's not his main asset. He can beat goalies close to the net and one-on-one quite efficiently. Can't say to what extend Barkov's shot will develop as he gains strength, but it will, and I don't know if comparing the goal highlights of a 17-year-old and a 34-year-old NHL forward will reveal anything to us. Olli has a good shot but he is also the close-your-eyes-and-hope-for-the-best type while Barkov is more aware of the goalie. Even in shootouts Olli had his set moves but you can see Barkov reading the goalie when he goes in.
I'm watching Barkov right now. Previous shift he breaks up a crucial play on the PK, the next shift he draws two guys to him on the boards on the PP and gets the puck to his linemates creating a great scoring chance. Nothing you'll see in a highlight reel but I assure you it's great to watch a teenager do that.
I'm watching Barkov right now. Previous shift he breaks up a crucial play on the PK, the next shift he draws two guys to him on the boards on the PP and gets the puck to his linemates creating a great scoring chance. Nothing you'll see in a highlight reel but I assure you it's great to watch a teenager do that.
Gotta say, watching both of these vids, the entire time I was thinking "so, do these two ever pass the puck?". Lots of dipsy-doodling and stick-handling and doing it all by themselves in there. Impressive sure, but I'm wondering how much of that transfers over to the NHL level when you're facing defensemen who are on you every second.
Watching the Seth Jones videos on the other hand, he already looks like an NHLer. Not a ton of stickhandling-in-a-phone-booth type of skills, but clearly shows all the tools to be one hell of a rock on the blueline.
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It's not so much skating as situational explosiveness that is Barkov's current weakness. Like when you're standing still and need to get 16 feet ahead of you as fast as possible. He doesn't have the thighs to move 210 pounds like that yet. Perhaps he doesn't suffer from it as much in Finland as he would in NA.
It's not so much skating as situational explosiveness that is Barkov's current weakness. Like when you're standing still and need to get 16 feet ahead of you as fast as possible. He doesn't have the thighs to move 210 pounds like that yet. Perhaps he doesn't suffer from it as much in Finland as he would in NA.
I noticed speed is less of a factor on international ice because there is less emphasis on grabbing loose pucks and supporting the puck. That big ice surface makes it harder to exploit loose pucks with speed.
I noticed speed is less of a factor on international ice because there is less emphasis on grabbing loose pucks and supporting the puck. That big ice surface makes it harder to exploit loose pucks with speed.
Barkov will have the one-on-one strength that will enable him to play his game in NA (if he doesn't already), but he does need enough explosiveness to get to those battles. On the other hand, the boards are closer in NA.
Here's a good clip of Barkov's skating and boardplay (linked on hfboards), easy to spot because of the golden helmet:
Barkov will have the one-on-one strength that will enable him to play his game in NA (if he doesn't already), but he does need enough explosiveness to get to those battles. On the other hand, the boards are closer in NA.
Here's a good clip of Barkov's skating and boardplay (linked on hfboards), easy to spot because of the golden helmet:
When watching that, keep in mind that NHL defensemen are bigger and faster. Yes, Barkov can use his size and skill to dominate in the Finnish league, but it will be very different in the NHL where he won't have a size or speed advantage.
And to those who look at his size and drool, he is NOT a Mark Messier type. He is more of a Sundin or Jokinen type - big, but not overly physical, and without dominant speed.
I have a very bad feeling that Barkov is going to be nothing more than a decent, 2nd line type player in the NHL. It is just an opinion, but I am praying that they stay away from him.
MacKinnon's skills are far better suited to creating a dominant NHLer
Granted, I am easily impressed by razzle-dazzle and don't claim to be more knowledgable than the average fan, but when I look at the highlights, Drouin seems to have way more wow-factor than MackInnon. I know that such things can be misleading though (for example, Langkow was less showy than say Samsonov, but I know who I'd rather have).
Daddy Feaster, can you get me both of them? Puuuleeeeease?
Gotta say, watching both of these vids, the entire time I was thinking "so, do these two ever pass the puck?". Lots of dipsy-doodling and stick-handling and doing it all by themselves in there. Impressive sure, but I'm wondering how much of that transfers over to the NHL level when you're facing defensemen who are on you every second.
Watching the Seth Jones videos on the other hand, he already looks like an NHLer. Not a ton of stickhandling-in-a-phone-booth type of skills, but clearly shows all the tools to be one hell of a rock on the blueline.
That's a great point, and one that shouldn't be overlooked. It's nice when players can pull of dangles like that when they are superiour to their opposition. But that just doesn't happen that often on NHL caliber defenders. In fact, how often during NHL games do you see players skate coast to coast like that and score? Yes their are players who translate that talent over to the NHL, but I think Drouin is going to have to modify his game when he hits the NHL as moves like that won't be able to be pulled off that often. In fact in that best of Drouin video, those defenders are flopping all over the ice and Drouin looks like he's jumping around pylons. That's just not going to happen that often in the NHL.
I'm in the Mackinnon camp. An explosive Canadian center who is comparable to Crosby. That's a franchise changing player right there and is what we have needed for the last 20 years. But you can't go wrong with anyone in the top 4-5. With a lottery pick looking like a real possibility, all I pray for everyday is for the Flames to hold onto that precious first round pick.
Last edited by Huntingwhale; 03-23-2013 at 11:38 AM.
Gotta say, watching both of these vids, the entire time I was thinking "so, do these two ever pass the puck?". Lots of dipsy-doodling and stick-handling and doing it all by themselves in there. Impressive sure, but I'm wondering how much of that transfers over to the NHL level when you're facing defensemen who are on you every second.
Watching the Seth Jones videos on the other hand, he already looks like an NHLer. Not a ton of stickhandling-in-a-phone-booth type of skills, but clearly shows all the tools to be one hell of a rock on the blueline.
True, but isn't that like a lot of highly skilled CHL players who just flat out dominate their opponents? I'm not too worried about MacKinnon having problems, Drouin I'm a bit more concerned about.
When watching that, keep in mind that NHL defensemen are bigger and faster. Yes, Barkov can use his size and skill to dominate in the Finnish league, but it will be very different in the NHL where he won't have a size or speed advantage.
And to those who look at his size and drool, he is NOT a Mark Messier type. He is more of a Sundin or Jokinen type - big, but not overly physical, and without dominant speed.
I have a very bad feeling that Barkov is going to be nothing more than a decent, 2nd line type player in the NHL. It is just an opinion, but I am praying that they stay away from him.
MacKinnon's skills are far better suited to creating a dominant NHLer
I don't think you need to remind anyone of that. Similarly, I don't think anyone needs to remind you that a player's physical development doesn't stop at 17. At the time of the clip he had turned 17 a couple of months ago. We're talking about kids and how they project to be when they're mature.
As for bad feelings and good feelings, I have no idea. He could be the biggest bust in the history of hockey for all I know. I'm not a scout. Barkov is the guy I've watched so that's who I talk about. I'm not qualified to start "praying" for or against picking anyone.
Sundin is an okay comparison. Never heard anyone bring up Messier. Craig Button's comparison is Dale Hawerchuk.
I'm in the Mackinnon camp. An explosive Canadian center who is comparable to Crosby. That's a franchise changing player right there and is what we have needed for the last 20 years. But you can't go wrong with anyone in the top 4-5. With a lottery pick looking like a real possibility, all I pray for everyday is for the Flames to hold onto that precious first round pick.
MacKinnon has demonstrated nowhere near the offensive capability that Crosby had. Crosby scored at double the pace that MacKinnon has throughout his junior career.
MacKinnon has demonstrated nowhere near the offensive capability that Crosby had. Crosby scored at double the pace that MacKinnon has throughout his junior career.
Looking at the numbers (which is all I have as I don't watch jr hockey) I'm puzzled as to why Mackinnon is ranked so high... He's on a stacked team and 30 points less than Drouin... I just assumed he was producing at a clip more on par with Crosby, Stamkos or the like ... I didn't expect he SAME production but within spitting distance, so to speak.
I'd love for people to speak of other elements of his game that him rated so highly.
