Prospect Info: Aleksander Barkov (signed 7/15/13)

[floridada]

The more I read about him, the more excited I get. I can't wait to see him play in Panthers jersey.

 

[TheFeistyFinn]

nice vid also
i'm so happy that he's going to play in florida. he can grow as a player together with huberdeau, maybe even become selänne/kariya kind of pair. i would love to see that...

 

[jol]

When he's going to join Panthers? Two things, is he in high school (in Finland, it takes 2-4 years complete, he would be starting 3rd year), military service (another great finnish center in Panthers uniform, Olli Jokinen, never served in military).
So will he start now, 2013 or at 2015?

JOL

 

[Finnpin]

When he's going to join Panthers? Two things, is he in high school (in Finland, it takes 2-4 years complete, he would be starting 3rd year), military service (another great finnish center in Panthers uniform, Olli Jokinen, never served in military).
So will he start now, 2013 or at 2015?

JOL

School and military service will not hold him back IMO. If Panthers want him, he will be there asap.

Mikko Koivu for example did his "military service" in 2 weeks

 

[traffic cone]

The most complete player of the draft while being almost a year younger than many other top draftees. He will work hard on his skating as well, I know that.

 

[SoupyFIN]

School and military service will not hold him back IMO. If Panthers want him, he will be there asap.

Mikko Koivu for example did his "military service" in 2 weeks

IIRC Barkov's school is a kauppis (trade school), so I'd think he can do the last year during the next few summers.

And the military service is a bit of a joke (not that it isn't for the average joe either) for athletes, so it shouldn't be a problem. He'll play hockey most of the time there anyway.

 

[jol]

IIRC Barkov's school is a kauppis (trade school), so I'd think he can do the last year during the next few summers.

And the military service is a bit of a joke (not that it isn't for the average joe either) for athletes, so it shouldn't be a problem. He'll play hockey most of the time there anyway.

Yeah, that's what i thought about military service. They don't have that special branch for athletes (urheilukoulu) anymore, where they served 11 months?

Another thing, where he's going to live, in Little Finland (Lake Worth) or in Little Moscow (Sunny Isles Beach) ?

JOL

 

[Finnpin]

Another thing, where he's going to live, in Little Finland (Lake Worth) or in Little Moscow (Sunny Isles Beach) ?

Sonny Crockett boat-style

 

[Mogo]

Link

That guy who hurt him Ilari Melart was signed by Columbus. Revenge it next season Gudbranson!

 

[FlaPanthers7]

"Passing up on Jones when you are the Florida Panthers, and you dont have an overwhelming array of defensive depth"

Soupy
Kulikov
Gudbranson
Petrovic
Matheson
Robak

Yeah, you are right Pierre, that list has nothing but a bunch of 3rd pairing dmen

It is definitely a pleasure listening to Bob Mckenzie talk though. He knows a lot, and it really shows in times like this.

I shook my head at that comment too. LOL

 

[Mogo]

Yeah, that's what i thought about military service. They don't have that special branch for athletes (urheilukoulu) anymore, where they served 11 months?

Another thing, where he's going to live, in Little Finland (Lake Worth) or in Little Moscow (Sunny Isles Beach) ?

JOL

Ah Lake Worth. Used to live there. Miss it. Although it's changed a lot since the 80's

 

[FinProspects]

Mackinnon and Drouin are probably more skilled and will score more points, but... they wont be nearly as good overall or complete players that Sasha is going to be. I´d personally rather have a 70point complete player than a one-dimensional 90point player. Sasha will be 6"3 or even 6"4, 220-230 pounds at some point, almost similar to Joe Thornton. You cannot teach size.

Also, the thing is that nobody cannot predict what is Barkov´s ceiling offensively. I doubt he will ever reach 90-100points, but it isnt because he doesnt have the skill, it is because he wants to be a complete player. Playing well in all 3 zones will definately have an effect to his point totals.

I highly doubt that there is a better player in this draft than Barkov. Its kind of funny that Barkov is 11 months younger than for example Jones. A full year is huge in terms of players physicality in the tender ages of 16-18. Sasha has 1,5 seasons under his belt in Sm-liiga, he was possibly the best player in the league for the first 2-3 months last season. I´m 90% sure he will be in NHL next season. Only thing keeping him away is the shoulder injury.

 

[Android 16]

Sick shootout moves. Datsyukian deke on f backhand :O.

As per youtube; kid's got some underrated hands. From what I've seen, he's attempted all of the following in shootouts in SM-Liiga; pretty impressive, imo.

1. The reverse Datsyuk - scored
2. The Forsberg deke - scored
3. Backhand shelf - scored
4. Between the legs - off the crossbar

Does anyone have his shootout professional shootout record?

 

[SoupyFIN]

That guy who hurt him Ilari Melart was signed by Columbus. Revenge it next season Gudbranson!

RIP in pieces Melart.

As per youtube; kid's got some underrated hands. From what I've seen, he's attempted all of the following in shootouts in SM-Liiga; pretty impressive, imo.

1. The reverse Datsyuk - scored
2. The Forsberg deke - scored
3. Backhand shelf - scored
4. Between the legs - off the crossbar

Does anyone have his shootout professional shootout record?

Said he's probably never just shot the puck and he's seen a lot of Datsyuk's SO goals.

 

[ICdave]

Barkov audio

Not sure if you guys were able to catch the post-draft audio of Barkov but here it is.

To listen click here.

 

[Android 16]

Mackinnon and Drouin are probably more skilled and will score more points, but... they wont be nearly as good overall or complete players that Sasha is going to be. I´d personally rather have a 70point complete player than a one-dimensional 90point player. Sasha will be 6"3 or even 6"4, 220-230 pounds at some point, almost similar to Joe Thornton. You cannot teach size.

Also, the thing is that nobody cannot predict what is Barkov´s ceiling offensively. I doubt he will ever reach 90-100points, but it isnt because he doesnt have the skill, it is because he wants to be a complete player. Playing well in all 3 zones will definately have an effect to his point totals.

I highly doubt that there is a better player in this draft than Barkov. Its kind of funny that Barkov is 11 months younger than for example Jones. A full year is huge in terms of players physicality in the tender ages of 16-18. Sasha has 1,5 seasons under his belt in Sm-liiga, he was possibly the best player in the league for the first 2-3 months last season. I´m 90% sure he will be in NHL next season. Only thing keeping him away is the shoulder injury.

If we keep track of MacKinnon's NHL career and say "what if" we're going to drive ourselves crazy. The same goes for Drouin and Jones. A lot of people seem to have faith in Barkov to excel in the NHL and potentially become a number one center.

The more and more I research Barkov; his size is just insane for his age. Kid is tall and thick already.

 

[gudzilla]

If we keep track of MacKinnon's NHL career and say "what if" we're going to drive ourselves crazy. The same goes for Drouin and Jones. A lot of people seem to have faith in Barkov to excel in the NHL and potentially become a number one center.

The more and more I research Barkov; his size is just insane for his age. Kid is tall and thick already.

i sure as hell have a PPG kopitar than a 90-100p center with mediocre defense

 

[Finnpin]

The more and more I research Barkov; his size is just insane for his age. Kid is tall and thick already.

This photo is always IMO funny...standing there with Ville Nieminen and I think this photo is old too

 

[Android 16]

This photo is always IMO funny...standing there with Ville Nieminen and I think this photo is old too

Ville Nieminen: 6'1'' 200 lbs

Barkov's size is unreal at his age.

 

[Oan]

That photo is from last summer, 2012.

 

[Android 16]

That photo is from last summer, 2012.

 

[Dr Beinfest]

So he's like... freaking 16 there.

It's crazy to think he's going to get bigger. Perhaps not taller, but that's one large frame...

 

[Panthers607]

This kid looks absolutely filthy to me, love it! Great pick!

What are the chances the shoulder injury will haunt him?

 

[PBPantherfan]

This photo is always IMO funny...standing there with Ville Nieminen and I think this photo is old too

How the hell does he fit in that car? LOL he's freaking huge for 16. I was 6'3" when I graduated high school and ended up at 6'7". Wonder how much more growing he has left to do?

 

[Panthers Rock]

Pierre stating we have bad defensive depth is moronic. The Panthers have the best prospect pool in the NHL. The only "depth" we lack is goaltending after Markstrom, but few have big goalie depth. He probably has a better idea where Brian Campbell went to high school than who his defensive partner is.

That said, I was indeed at first shocked by this pick but like it all the more I see it. We needed to face facts: the offense has been bad outside of a very small set of players and we are desperate for the 1C which we may now have. I don't know how I feel about him actually being our 1C for next season but who knows.

I trust Tallon, he really hasn't been wrong yet.