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

[Ghoste]

"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.

Yeah, Pierre is just in love with Jones yet when you go back and watch Colorado pick Mac and Tampa pick Drouin, he doesn't diss them at all for passing Jones. And he obviously explodes when Nashville grabs Jones.

Bob is awesome though. I'm sure he kinda knew that we'd select Barkov before actually doing so (if Dater already knew, I'm sure Bob did too) but it sounds cool that he talks about it as Tallon & Co. make their way to the podium.

-ghoste

 

[Drake744]

Preds fan here. Congrats on Barkov. He was "the coveted guy" amongst most Preds fans, and you guys sent our fanbase into a frenzy by taking him off the board. I, however, wanted Jones all along (but that was a moot point because he would never be available). I think he'll fit in tremendously well in Florida, and will be a great centerpiece to build around. I hope he makes the team, and an impact this year.

 

[gudzilla]

Preds fan here. Congrats on Barkov. He was "the coveted guy" amongst most Preds fans, and you guys sent our fanbase into a frenzy by taking him off the board. I wanted Barkov or Jones all along (but that was a moot point because he would never be available). I think he'll fit in tremendously well in Florida, and will be a great centerpiece to build around. I hope he makes the team, and an impact this year.

brennan can help your PP a lot, just put him as 3rd pairing with a steady shutdown guy and he'll be fine. he showed flashes of brilliance over here. and thanks on barkov, but jones at #4 is a steal, forget suter, you got your own new american superstar defenseman

 

[Drake744]

brennan can help your PP a lot, just put him as 3rd pairing with a steady shutdown guy and he'll be fine. he showed flashes of brilliance over here. and thanks on barkov, but jones at #4 is a steal, forget suter, you got your own new american superstar defenseman

I accidentally edited the Brennan question out of my post but glad you caught it. And thanks on Jones. I was ecstatic when you passed on him haha

 

[CNS]

As an outside fan with no bias involved in the pick, I absolutely loved it for you guys. To me, there was a big four in this years draft. Any of them could go number 1. Passing on Jones is something people will question but you got a HELL of a hockey player. Take a look at all the last cup winners and their number 1 center.

2013 - Hawks - Toews
2012 - Kings - Kopitar
2011 - Bruins - Bergeron
2010 - Haws - Toews

Those 3 guys are all extremely good two way centers. They can put up numbers offensively but can really help in the defensive zone as well. That's exactly what you guys got. Drafting D early seems to be a pretty big risk. I don't see Sasha as a risk. I see him as a guy who can help win you a cup. So see you guys in the cup soon I hope

 

[Dr Beinfest]

My only concern with Jones (and it isn't an actual concern with Jones per say) was that when I took a look at the last decade with top 10 picks and defenders, a lot have been underwhelming or not meeting full expectations. Of course, that has nothing to do with Jones as an individual, but it did scare me a bit. The Panthers needed a safe pick. I feel like they went with that.

 

[Hariken]

Ive always wondered if he can speak Russian. Can he?

 

[JJTT]

Ive always wondered if he can speak Russian. Can he?

yes he can, he speaks russian in home with his family

 

[Rattrick]

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

Crazy, I grew up there!

 

[pb1300]

You wanna know what bothered me the most about Seth Jones? Well it was this:

When you compare him to Mac:

And to where Barkov is at physically, it brings up some red flags to me. Jones has his fathers body, and I would have liked to see someone ranked as high as him be a bit more fit. I know it might sound stupid, and its something that he can work on now with the trainers in Nashville, but it is something that has bothered me since the combine.

 

[QnebO]

yes he can, he speaks russian in home with his family

In UrhoTV he said that He is born here (finland), played here as a kid and went to school here. And that at home they speak both languages. So I see him as very Finnish person. Good comparasion is Pääjärvi, who is swedish, but he's mother is Finnish.

 

[thomast]

His native language is russian. He speaks perfect finnish though. But his english has finnish accent

 

[Egblad]

I am so pleased to have Barkov on this team. This prospect looks incredible, definitely has the potential to be one of the best we've ever drafted. It's hard to find a fault in his game, and that's the type of hockey player a team needs to win sir Stanley. What a driven and competitive individual at the old age of 17. Crazy. I think we really, really made a good choice here.

 

[urho]

And to where Barkov is at physically, it brings up some red flags to me. Jones has his fathers body, and I would have liked to see someone ranked as high as him be a bit more fit.

It's actually more than common that players under 18 have more fat tissue than older players. Barkov's bodyfat was under 12% and that's good number for someone that big. It doesn't take much from his leg speed and when he gets older, all the extra will be easy to drop (he's no Byfuglien). And same goes with Jones, there's absolutely nothing wrong with his frame. Both him and Barkov are in excellent physical condition and will be getting much better.

 

[Acadmus]

Frankly the reason I'm happy for the Barkov pick is for the same reason noted by one of the commentators discussing it just afterward while the others questioned them passing over Jones: The Panthers can't score, they needed a top end offensive talent far more than they needed a top flight defenseman.

Both areas were weak last season as Kuba didn't pan out and the team dealt with numerous injuries. But the lack of offense is a recurring theme in Florida and has been since Pavel Bure got shipped off to the Rangers...indeed, the few seasons with Bure was the only time the team's offense wasn't questioned.

Now the Panthers have Huberdeau and Barkov for the top line, with Flash and Versteeg to bolster the second line. If Weiss comes back and Bjugstad blossoms, suddenly the Panthers have credibility in the offensive zone. They also have legitimate scoring threats for the shootout now.

The defense will come along, but it doesn't need a "once in a generation" talent to shut down opposing teams. But you win games by burying the puck, and that's something the Panthers haven't been able to do reliably for, well...most of the last two decades.

Couldn't get MacKinnon - Barkov seems the next best thing.

 

[Hagged]

Mackinnon and Drouin are probably more skilled and will score more points, but...

Now that I have had time to think about it. I don't think Mackinnon and Drouin being more naturally skilled is true. If Barkov could have stayed in Junior A or even gone to CHL he propably could have stickhandled his way to the scoresheet game after game. His highlights would be out of this world as of those two.

It is harder to do that against experienced professional defensemen. That is not to say CHL isn't the best developmental league there is, what I'm saying is that Barkov propably could have played more offense oriented and not being forced to avoid mistakes. There is no way to tell for sure if Drouin or Mackinnon could have had the points Barkov had in SM-liiga (FEL).

 

[FlaPnthrsPunk]

I feel a lot less upset that we weren't able to draft MacKinnon now after reading and watching more about Barkov. He was my second choice after MacKinnon all along since I really wanted to fill that top line Center role more than get the possible BPA as most said Jones was. This kid is going to be a huge part of this team's future and I give Tallon so much credit for taking the risk to choose him over Jones and Drouin whom were projected to go higher. His size is HUGE and I love how he comes into the league as the most ready and experienced prospect that we could have chosen. I'm really hoping that he has great chemistry with Huberdeau and has a fantastic rookie season. I would love to have another Calder Trophy winner on our hands

 

[Crossbar]

Would it be fair to say...

Ceiling = Joe Thornton/Anze Kopitar
Worst = Viktor Kozlov?

Nobody likes that Kozzy was traded for essentially Lecavalier, but otherwise, he was very solid defensively, a world class stickhandler, had a great shot (that he didn't use much) and the setup man for 2-time Rocket Richard winner Pavel Bure.

 

[Beezeral]

cant get behind the pick. if the panthers were dead set on getting a forward, should have taken drouin. I am terrified this organization's future took a drastic turn for the worse with a bounce of the lotto ball 2 months ago.

I hope to god I am wrong.

 

[Hagged]

Would it be fair to say...

Ceiling = Joe Thornton/Anze Kopitar
Worst = Viktor Kozlov?

Nobody likes that Kozzy was traded for essentially Lecavalier, but otherwise, he was very solid defensively, a world class stickhandler, had a great shot (that he didn't use much) and the setup man for 2-time Rocket Richard winner Pavel Bure.

I think it is. Though I'd say his ceiling is Joe Thornton/Mats Sundin so a tad higher than what Kopitar is now. And his bust potential being Viktor Kozlov might be a bit optimistic. Kozlov did have a 70 point season and I could see that if Barkov has reached his ceiling already not being able to develop anymore or if Barkov's shoulder operation would turn out to be unsuccesful and shoulder dislocations recurring I could see him staying at 50 point production for his career.

Beezeral, what makes you think Drouin would have been of better value?

 

[FinlandPanther]

I think it is. Though I'd say his ceiling is Joe Thornton/Mats Sundin so a tad higher than what Kopitar is now. And his bust potential being Viktor Kozlov might be a bit optimistic. Kozlov did have a 70 point season and I could see that if Barkov has reached his ceiling already not being able to develop anymore or if Barkov's shoulder operation would turn out to be unsuccesful and shoulder dislocations recurring I could see him staying at 50 point production for his career.

Beezeral, what makes you think Drouin would have been of better value?

Flashy skills. I for the record think Barkov was the second best choice after Mac.

 

[Jeff Shafer]

I think everyone (including myself) knew very little of Barkov before the draft due to our slights being primarily set on the "big 3". If you look at his play he's got some serious skill, isn't flashy but has some great moves, speed and on-ice awareness, along with something which cannot be taught, size.

This kid broke into the HIGHEST LEVEL of hockey in Finland at age 15! and since has continued to prove he's one of the most dynamic two-way players in that league. I don't see it being far from a stretch to say he will be on our team next season, he will be a contributor from day one, and he will be a player we'll appreciate.

Jones and Drouin will be great players as well, but as far as needs are concerned, we just took one of the best players (if not the best) at the position we needed help replacing the most with the ever growing likeliness of Weiss departing via free agency (pretty much a sure thing now). I for one am happy about this, if anything we can move Drew Shore or Matthias to wing should there be a logjam at center.

 

[RogerRogerr]

Would it be fair to say...

Ceiling = Joe Thornton/Anze Kopitar
Worst = Viktor Kozlov?

Nobody likes that Kozzy was traded for essentially Lecavalier, but otherwise, he was very solid defensively, a world class stickhandler, had a great shot (that he didn't use much) and the setup man for 2-time Rocket Richard winner Pavel Bure.

I'd say at worst he's a Saku Koivu.

 

[Acadmus]

Would it be fair to say...

Ceiling = Joe Thornton/Anze Kopitar
Worst = Viktor Kozlov?

My thought, given his size and stickhandling ability, is that he's a Viktor Kozlov that actually competes. I'm pretty much hoping he's the player Kozlov should have been. The one that showed up for 3 games (and no more) in I think it was 2001-2002 (I don't really remember, maybe 2002-2003) when Keenan questioned his toughness. Remember that stretch? Kozlov was dominant in those games. Then he reverted to type.

 

[Benched]

Lacked the number one center, got it here. Everything I read says this guy could contribute as early as this year, definitely next year. I was glad immediately that we passed on Jones. We have plenty of top pairing talent when they are all healthy.

I'm absolutely salivating at the thought of a Hubs/Barky line (yes, I'm already dubbing him Barky). We needed offense with the first pick. We got it.