Unless he can fast track his education like Toews did and get in the NCAA at 17 in 2014 I just can't see him waiting two more years (and presumably playing in the BCHL) until 2015 without switching to the WHL. Sounds like he could very much be the real deal. I'd put the percentage pretty high he's in the WHL next year, whether it's with Seattle who knows. Harkins has already played a WHL game, too bad Seattle owns his rights right now or we could be seeing Barzal getting WHL games shortly.
Last edited by bruinsfan46: 12-23-2012 at 05:45 PM.
Unless he can fast track his education like Toews did and get in the NCAA at 17 in 2014 I just can't see him waiting two more years (and presumably playing in the BCHL) until 2015 without switching to the WHL. Sounds like he could very much be the real deal. I'd put the percentage pretty high he's in the WHL next year, whether it's with Seattle who knows. Harkins has already played an NCAA game, too bad Seattle owns his rights right now or we could be seeing Barzal getting WHL games shortly.
(I think you meant WHL games)
Agree. Barzal is too good to play the next couple years in the BCHL. I would love to see how he does in a few WHL games this year but doesn't appear that is going to happen.
Does anyone know how Harkins looked in his PG game?
Agree. Barzal is too good to play the next couple years in the BCHL. I would love to see how he does in a few WHL games this year but doesn't appear that is going to happen.
Does anyone know how Harkins looked in his PG game?
He looked young and somewhat out of place due to his age and lack of WHL experience obviously... didnt really do too much... still soooo young and will be good. PG's other first rounder in that year has played a few games now(Brad Morrisson 6th or 7th overall) and he has looked good. Nice to see these highly skilled, and highly touted players committ to their WHL teams even though their WHL teams are pretty bad. Good players make their teams better and it shows alot of character with the kids(hopefully you are reading this Barzal and sign with Seattle!!!!...You will be the poster boy of the WHL!!!haha)
If this kid is coming down to the Mac's tournament this year, then I am really looking forward to seeing what he's got. Those numbers are huge for major midget.
Curious why you know he isn't a two way forward? Can someone not be high caliber at both ends? 5:30 of the Sno Kings game is a good indication of what he does with the back check and taking the open man.
However, Prince George fans that think they can get Mathew Barzal, the No. 1 pick in the 2012 bantam draft, from Seattle for Forsberg can keep on dreaming.
Sources close to the situation are adamant it is just a matter of time before Barzal inks a deal with the Thunderbirds. They also noted Seattle’s 2011 first-round pick, Ryan Gropp, could quite likely follow suit after Barzal.
Seattle organization would do a complete 180 if Barzal and Gropp both signed. They would be real high NHL picks in 2015 if they played together (Gropp a year older but has a late bday)
10 more points in 2 games this past weekend in BC Major Midget League... 80 points(22 goals 58 assists) in 25 games so far this season.... un #*$@ ing believable... He has always been compared to Nugent-Hopkins. Just to compare and just for fun, at the same age in the same league, RNH played in 36 games and finished with 40 goals and 47 assists for 87 points. Barzal is on pace to shatter that point total. Barzal is Seattle T-Bird property and Seattle is currently on a 14 game losing streak. How desperately does Seattle need this guy!!???hahah... he will be the golden boy of Seattle until he plays NHL!!!
I watch the NE Chiefs game today in Coquitlam at Planet Ice. I see a lot of talk on his status etc in this thread and very little in terms of on-ice scouting report, so I'll share what I noticed (although I am far from a pro scout).
He was easily the best player on the ice, which I would assume to be the norm considering his point totals. He is clearly a playmaker. Likes to take the puck over the blueline, then slow the play down and find the open man. Set up several of his teammates with some elite playmaking skills, and finished with a goal and a couple assists. Makes smart plays that other players just can't/aren't expecting at this level.
Plays a fairly gritty game, too, gets a lot of attention from the opposition team and gives and takes a lot of hacks. Went hard to the net several times and took some hits to make some plays.
On the negatives, he did very little backchecking, though to be fair it's not exactly a defensive league and these are young kids (with him being among the youngest). Usually the last player back and the first player hovering around center ice for the pass, but once in the offensive zone is far from a puck hog. His skating is said to be exceptional but he didn't blow by anyone in this particular game.
He took some faceoffs but often lined up at left wing before moving to the middle.
Obviously his coach gives him a TON of ice time. I'd say he was easily out there more than half the game. I doubt there were too many times when there was more than two shifts in a row where he wasn't on the ice, and he started the game with a 1:45 shift from the opening faceoff and then was back out there after a short rest.
It was pretty cool to walk into a ordinary local rink that I've played pickup in up the street and watch a free game with a potential future star play in front of 50 people. Ryan Johansen's brother and David Musil's brother also played in this game.
Definitely worthy of the hype and an elite playmaking talent.
10 more points in 2 games this past weekend in BC Major Midget League... 80 points(22 goals 58 assists) in 25 games so far this season.... un #*$@ ing believable... He has always been compared to Nugent-Hopkins. Just to compare and just for fun, at the same age in the same league, RNH played in 36 games and finished with 40 goals and 47 assists for 87 points. Barzal is on pace to shatter that point total. Barzal is Seattle T-Bird property and Seattle is currently on a 14 game losing streak. How desperately does Seattle need this guy!!???hahah... he will be the golden boy of Seattle until he plays NHL!!!
26 goals and 91 pts in 28 games to date. On pace to shatter the point record(100) for 15 yr olds in the BCMML. Also, should easily surpass the all-time season record for points in a season(108), set by 16 yr old Alex Kerfoot.
As mentioned, he has already passed RNH's totals from 08/09, when he also led the league in points by a wide margin.
Is his midget season over? The T-Birds could really use him in the playoffs.
Yes, his team was eliminated this past weekend.
His season is essentially over if he doesn't sign with Seattle, as Coquitlam, the team he's an AP with in the BHCL, was eliminated from playoff contention.
All Seattle fans need to PRAY that he signs in Seattle now. Seattle has struggled for years and this player is a franchise changer. Seattle has a couple other real high prospects that havent signed either(Ryan Gropp & Dylan Gambrell) and I strongly feel if T-Birds can get Barzal signed, those other players will sign pretty much the next day(Gropp forsure, but not quite as sure about Gambrell). They would be fools to give up the chance to play with Barzal. Barzall and Gropp are both eligable for 2015 NHL draft and I strongly feel they would have strong rookie seasons and then possibly tear up the league in 2014/2015. Barzal, Gropp and Shea Theodore on the same power play... good lord, I would feel sorry for the other team
yah would be great if Barzal signed with Seattle T-Birds, I know Ethan Bear (Seattle 25th pick) just got his first taste of the WHL against Portland (March 16th), and Keegan Kolesar (Seattle 20th pick) has played a game or two earlier in the season, and Seattle gets the 8th, 22nd (from Portland) and 27th picks in the next draft year. Barzal would put Seattle over the top and would be contenders in the years to come...
I guess Barzal has practiced with Seattle now on a few occasions and on an interview with GM Russ Farwell, both sides(T-Birds and Barzal) have agreed on a decision to come before this offseason starts so T-Birds can figure out plans for next season. I really hope Barzal signs with Seattle. Not only Seattle desperately needs Barzal to join, but also he is great for the WHL. It would sure be a shame not to see this kid in the WHL next year... Also to note, alot of rumors that if Barzal were to go the NCAA route, he was going to play Junior A with Coquitlam Express(Barzal has played a few games with them already). But recently, the coach and GM of the Coquitlam Express Jon Calvano, who has coached Barzal alot in his minor hockey days and has been recruiting Barzal like crazy over a couple years, to play Junior A has been FIRED. So that is a great sign in favor of T-Birds hopefully.
Last edited by Skinnyjimmy08: 03-25-2013 at 10:13 AM.
