A 6'3" center with Datsyuk like skill does not come very often.
Who would be a comparable? Kopitar?
Maybe. Barkov doesn't have Datsyuk's skill with the stick. I know he watches Datsyuk though and I think the comparison comes up because of his conscious focus on two-way play instead of just offense. You really see that in Barkov's game. He's not just trying to do it, he actually does it on the ice. You don't see many skilled 17-year-olds on the PK or taking important faceoffs, but he's out there for every situation.
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Been on the Barkov train for a while now. Ultimately it is going to come down to the character study that Feaster mentioned on the Fan this morning. You cannot lose with any of the top five picks so it will come down to the mental intangibles that the scouting and management department have put an emphasis on.
From what I have read lately it will likely boil down to Barkov, Monohan or MacKinnon. All three seem to have the leadership and drive to win. Although I am sure there is much more to it than those qualities that the Flames are looking for.
Been on the Barkov train for a while now. Ultimately it is going to come down to the character study that Feaster mentioned on the Fan this morning. You cannot lose with any of the top five picks so it will come down to the mental intangibles that the scouting and management department have put an emphasis on.
From what I have read lately it will likely boil down to Barkov, Monohan or MacKinnon. All three seem to have the leadership and drive to win. Although I am sure there is much more to it than those qualities that the Flames are looking for.
Also, check out Barkov's sweet ride (under 18, can't drive a proper car yet but people his age can drive these weird little things):
From what I have read lately it will likely boil down to Barkov, Monohan or MacKinnon. All three seem to have the leadership and drive to win. Although I am sure there is much more to it than those qualities that the Flames are looking for.
Why those 3 in particular? Not disagreeing just wondering what you have read. From what I've read Drouin looks the most intriguing. History of playing center as well. Just convert him back.
From what I have read lately it will likely boil down to Barkov, Monohan or MacKinnon. All three seem to have the leadership and drive to win. Although I am sure there is much more to it than those qualities that the Flames are looking for.
Funny that you say that... I could legitimately see Feaster drop down four or five spots in order to draft Monahan and secure a couple seconds or another first in this draft.
I sure hope not, but that's not out of character for the Flames to do... they've always preferred quantity over quality.
Why those 3 in particular? Not disagreeing just wondering what you have read. From what I've read Drouin looks the most intriguing. History of playing center as well. Just convert him back.
Lots of comparables to Toews on Monohan. Quiet leader, does it all for his team on the ice, good skill.
Barkov, Intelligence and like others have recently said, as a 17 year old to get the kind of respect in the room he does is something special. Has a sven like mentality to stay on the ice well after everyone else is gone to work on his game.
MacKinnon apparently has a Crosby esque drive about him and that says enough for me.
Would ppl be angry if the Flames traded next years potential top 5 pick + STL 1st this year + roster player for ability to draft both Mackinnon and Drouin?
Would ppl be angry if the Flames traded next years potential top 5 pick + STL 1st this year + roster player for ability to draft both Mackinnon and Drouin?
Would ppl be angry if the Flames traded next years potential top 5 pick + STL 1st this year + roster player for ability to draft both Mackinnon and Drouin?
This scenario on top of many other scenarios that can happen this summer, I definitely see the Flames doing something big with their 2014 picks to get the youth and re-tool movement done with as fast as possible.
Would ppl be angry if the Flames traded next years potential top 5 pick + STL 1st this year + roster player for ability to draft both Mackinnon and Drouin?
Absolutely.
There's no guarantee that the player the Flames pick next year is any better than Drouin anyways - likely even worse, given the talent available in this draft. Plus, Drouin will already be one year closer to being an impact player at the NHL level.
Not sure if posted yet. Here's some highlights of Barkov
I should say that those clips are from when he was 16. One more thing that makes it tough to evaluate prospects based on clips is that a year makes such a huge difference. You look at his skating in an old clip and see that it's clearly better already.
I think there is excellent strategy to be captured in letting other teams draft and develop players. We shouldn't rely solely on the efforts of our own department; let others do the work.
For example: Derek Smith - signed and developed by Ottawa, then we took him and turned him into a full-time NHL'er. Ottawa did all the groundwork, we just exploited his potential and development-to-date.
Rene Bourque was also a player signed and developed by Chicago, and then we acquired him right before his career skyrocketed. We reaped the benefit of years of development, and only for the cost of 2nd round pick. Chicago spent all the time and effort on him; we just placed him in an environment that exploited his potential further.
Another good one? Kiprusoff, who developed in the San Jose system and we gave a 2nd rounder for him (probably even an over-payment at the time, but hindsight is 20/20). San Jose laid laid all the ground work for his transition into the NHL, all at their expense.
Mark Cundari could potentially be the next one that makes the jump to the NHL using this strategy. Developed under St, Louis, he has potential to turn into a Mark Giordano type. Time will tell, but this would be one of those situations where we didn't have to do any work.
Point is, other teams are good resources for development. Flames should use this strategy to their advantage.
Lets not forget Chris Butler!
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"With a coach and a player, sometimes there's just so much respect there that it's boils over"
-Taylor Hall
There's no guarantee that the player the Flames pick next year is any better than Drouin anyways - likely even worse, given the talent available in this draft. Plus, Drouin will already be one year closer to being an impact player at the NHL level.
