Nieminen - Barkov - Hansen could be good! Hansen could really help take the focus from Barkov on that line....
...And could teach him a thing or two about professionalism. Not that Barkov is unprofessional but getting to play with an ex-NHLer and a current NHLer around you must have positive effects on a talented young guy like Barkov
The common problem on that line is Haapala right now. Haapala is really good on the PP, in straight attacks but when it's about cycling game he is useless. Tappara offensive game is heavily based on cycling game and saw Haapala losing the puck all the time and it was frustrating to watch it. Take Haapala out and put Jannik Hanssen in so it would be better.
Views from the game:
Worst game from Barkov this year despite having 1 goal. He wasn't bad at all but didn't stand out at any point today. He was very good on the PK. Still a pretty solid game.
The common problem on that line is Haapala right now. Haapala is really good on the PP, in straight attacks but when it's about cycling game he is useless. Tappara offensive game is heavily based on cycling game and saw Haapala losing the puck all the time and it was frustrating to watch it. Take Haapala out and put Jannik Hanssen in so it would be better.
Views from the game:
Worst game from Barkov this year despite having 1 goal. He wasn't bad at all but didn't stand out at any point today. He was very good on the PK. Still a pretty solid game.
When a player scores a goal and is very good on the PK and still has the worst game of the season, you know he's a pretty good player.
3 games without a point is a slump, then 2 games with 1 point each means the slump is over? I think you're reading a bit too much into what is simply the standard variation in scoring that any player goes through over the course of the season. I'm sure as the season progresses Barkov will go through further periods where he puts up a bunch of points in a hurry, as well as periods where his production slows, because that's simply the case for all hockey players.
When a player scores a goal and is very good on the PK and still has the worst game of the season, you know he's a pretty good player.
I would say that he is very consistent player. The difference between his good and bad game is not big. That is definetly his strength. He has also made only 1 big mistake in 18 games. That is very impressive if we look at his age and his icetime. He plays 20+ mins per game and is able to keep up being safe player is very promising.
3 games without a point is a slump, then 2 games with 1 point each means the slump is over? I think you're reading a bit too much into what is simply the standard variation in scoring that any player goes through over the course of the season. I'm sure as the season progresses Barkov will go through further periods where he puts up a bunch of points in a hurry, as well as periods where his production slows, because that's simply the case for all hockey players.
Yes, I use the word "slump" loosely here, almost tongue in cheek. More seriously, variation or not, he is sliding in the scoring. But if he can keep up with PPG, it's good for a 17 years old. The red hot start made it look too easy.
Yes, I use the word "slump" loosely here, almost tongue in cheek. More seriously, variation or not, he is sliding in the scoring. But if he can keep up with PPG, it's good for a 17 years old. The red hot start made it look too easy.
I will agree that his early season pace was clearly unsustainable. I mean, he had 8 points in his first 4 games, 2 PPG over that small span, and no 17 year old has ever put up 1+ PPG in the SM-liiga. At the same time I'm sure nobody expected him to sustain that pace, it was just 4 games.
I think Barkov will probably fall a bit below 1 PPG by the end of the season, but he's still a virtual lock to have one of the best seasons ever by a 17 year old in the SM-liiga. Not only some of the best production ever, but also a very rare role on his team, being the guy they lean on in all situations (ES, SH and on the PP).
The last SM-liiga player to have similar tools to Barkov was Mikko Koivu. Both are/were big centres with very high hockey IQs, lots of 2-way ability, but not a tonne of flash or explosiveness. Koivu spent his draft year split between juniors and the SM-liiga, and in his time in the SM-liiga he put up 0 goals and 1 assist in 21 games, but he still went 6th overall (albeit in a weaker draft year than this one). After being drafted Koivu spent 3 more seasons in Finland, and put up 7 points in 48 games, then 20 points in 30 games, then 30 points in 45 games. I'm just trying to put into context how impressive Barkov's accomplishments this year are, and how 3 games without a point is nothing to be too worried about.
Is J Hansen in same line with Barkov today? I think they would fit nicely together, Barkov is same kinda player as Sedins are and that line did look nice last year.
Is J Hansen in same line with Barkov today? I think they would fit nicely together, Barkov is same kinda player as Sedins are and that line did look nice last year.
He is more like the mix of Pavel Datsyuk and Mikko Koivu/Thornton. Jason Allison with much better skating?
61 Chris Connolly - 40 Jarno Koskiranta - 74 Antti Erkinjuntti
17 Ville Nieminen - 16 Aleksander Barkov - 36 Jannik Hansen
21 Jerry Ahtola - 85 Jussi Makkonen - 25 Henrik Haapala
81 Jukka Peltola - 28 Jarkko Malinen - 38 Sami Venäläinen
We will see Nieminen-Barkov-Hansen line today! I'm so pumped right now.
Frankly I don't understand the comparisons to datsyuk. Barkov doesn't have the same arsenal of puck tricks. He is a very good puck handler but thus far he uses his puck skills solely for puck possession purposes (shielding the puck, moving in traffic), not to dangle around and between 3 players.
Frankly I don't understand the comparisons to datsyuk. Barkov doesn't have the same arsenal of puck tricks. He is a very good puck handler but thus far he uses his puck skills solely for puck possession purposes (shielding the puck, moving in traffic), not to dangle around and between 3 players.
I think because of the bolded one and stickchecking/defensive game.
Frankly I don't understand the comparisons to datsyuk. Barkov doesn't have the same arsenal of puck tricks. He is a very good puck handler but thus far he uses his puck skills solely for puck possession purposes (shielding the puck, moving in traffic), not to dangle around and between 3 players.
I agree. Imo Joe Thornton is much better comparison.
