Re: Ovy, he was considered an absolutely fantastic prospect. The RSL was lower scoring than the modern KHL, Ovechkin actually lead his team in goals (with 13), and was 3rd on his team in points (with 24, Chupin lead Dynamo with 31 points that year). The RSL was the 2nd best league in the world back then (just as the KHL is #2 today), and a league where young players very rarely put up good stats, so I'd say his draft year stats were terrific. He'd also played in 2 WJCs before he was drafted, and was very good in both. Furthermore, even back then Ovy had great size, played a high energy, physical game, was amazingly quick/athletic/explosive, was a great skater in general, had an elite shot, and had very good hockey IQ. In terms of the things scouts look for, Ovy basically had all the tools. His stats may not look impressive compared to what top prospects put up in the CHL, but stats for European prospects playing in top men's leagues are NEVER that gaudy, because they're generally playing in low scoring leagues against men, not in high scoring leagues against 16-20 year olds. It's not uncommon for European players to go very high in the draft even if they haven't made the top level men's league in their country at all pre-draft.
Barkov was chosen as MVP and top foward in the U20 4 nations in sundvall sweden. Barkov was on ice on 8 of the 9 goals that finland scored and i think that there was 1 goal scored on his line. Barkov stats was 3 assists in 3 games but he got robbed atleast 2-3 obvious passes by stat guys. I think that 5-6 assists is close to truth. Barkov looked pretty tired out there IMO but managed to put up good tournament.
Barkov should use his lethal shot more often. In the first game he absolutely sniped it into top corner but the puck touched on his linemate and he got assist in that play.
Tomorrow we will see Tappara vs TPS. It's good chance to see Barkov and Ristolainen in action. I'm pretty sure that there will be a stream.
Let's see how Barkov does against Mikko Koivu, Lauri Korpikoski, Kris Russel, Alec martinez and Rasmus Ristolainen. Barkov is playing against very tough competition
Right now in FEL.
Tappara got a penalty shot and Barkov was chosen to take it. He scored to make it 3-3. 2nd of the game, 12th of the season. Don't know how it looked like etc.
Craig Button @CraigJButton
Aleksander Barkov with his 2nd of game on a Penalty Shot early in 3rd. His poise is outstanding. Turned 17 on September 2nd. 3-3 in Tampere.
Barkovs been clearly the best player on ice. This game includes many NHL players. I'm sure that Button is very impressed.
Do u think that Barkov has more potential than Granlund? Could it be possible that Granlund is just a 2nd line center for team Finland 2018 Winter olympics?
Do u think that Barkov has more potential than Granlund? Could it be possible that Granlund is just a 2nd line center for team Finland 2018 Winter olympics?
Don't know about that, but in this game he has been better player than Mikko Koivu, who plays for the opposing side TPS.
Do u think that Barkov has more potential than Granlund? Could it be possible that Granlund is just a 2nd line center for team Finland 2018 Winter olympics?
I believe Barkov has the potential to be a 1st line center in the NHL, while Granlund can be a good #2. The same goes for Team Finland, at this point (when we're still a very long way from 2018), if I had to guess, I'd say that Granlund will play either 2nd or even 3rd line C then (assuming MK would center the 2nd line, much like Saku did in Vancouver).
Don't know about that, but in this game he has been better player than Mikko Koivu, who plays for the opposing side TPS.
2 goals, many takeaways, flawless defensive game and positioning, 2 or 3 blocked shot on the PK, dangerous in regular basis. Hard to see anyone matching that in this game.
Nieminen is better than i've ever seen him. I think that he is at NHL-level but is quite old.
Brian Willsie, TPS - No goal.
Jannik Hansen, Tappara - No goal.
Petteri Nummelin, TPS - No goal.
Barkov, Tappara - No goal. Normal shot, no dekes.
Mikko Koivu, TPS - No goal.
Chris Connolly, Tappara - GOOOOOAAL!
So no goal for Barkov in shootouts, but 2 goals in regular time.
