The more I think about this move to draft Barkov, and the more I learn about him, we may have just picked the best player in this draft.
He is the perfect center for us. He sounds like a Finnish Jonathan Toews with more size, and I already see Huberdeau as our Kane, so can't complain!
But seriously. The kid is already 6'3 at 17 Y.O (seriously?!?! Yes), and will probably gain another inch or two before it's all said and done. Having him and Bjugstad up the middle is going to terrify teams. That is a LOT of size and skill to deal with. Barkov has offensive ability and I love his hockey sense. He seems to be really good at finding the puck and burying it, something our team seems to have lacked FOREVER. His stats are more than impressive at such a young age playing with men.
I'm not sour about not having Mackinnon. I think him and Barkov are much closer than some of you guys think. Mack's stats aren't anything to scream about (Huberdeau actually had better stats in the Q the year he was drafted) in a high-scoring QMJHL. I think Roy saw a ton of Mack while coaching in the Q, and his stubbornness would probably prevent him from taking a serious look at Barkov. People comparing Mack to Crosby are nuts. Sid had 168 freaking points in his 2nd year in the Q.
What I like most about Barkov is that he seems really difficult to play against, another thing we lack. He fights for every puck and goes to the hard places when needed. Always makes the smart play too. His stick handling is INSANE for someone his size. Usually guys that big can't handle the puck THAT well. I also love that he's played against men. Not because the FEL is directly comparable to the NHL, but he understands what comes with playing with more mature players who are more in tune with their game and the pro-hockey lifestyle.
I'm ok with not picking Jones. Don't put any stock in Pierre McGuire saying anything about us, he's the same dude who said Phaneuf would win multiple Norris trophies.....yah he sure know's his d-men.
With that said, Jones IS going to be a great defenseman, I don't doubt it. Nashville was the perfect destination for him. Weber will groom him into an absolute force in the NHL. I found comfort in Tampa taking Drouin and not Jones because it showed me that Jones wasn't seen as a "can't miss pick" to a Tampa team that frankly, needs more help on defense than we do.
I don't take any stock to this kid being quiet or whatever nonsense you guys are talking about. The one thing that stood out to me from his interview was that he wants to play in the NHL NOW. Not next year, but NOW. He's ready for the next step. This is a kid who will push himself and continue to succeed. Actions speak louder than words, and his on ice performance is all I care about. Never cared about JayBo's quiet persona off the ice and he was (I don't care what any of you say) an amazing defenseman for us those last couple seasons. Barkov will prove everything he needs to on the ice, I'm sure of it.
Overall I am happy with the draft, very happy. We didn't make any trades but there's time for that. Barkov is that big, two-way center that plays a 200 foot game that this franchise HAS NEVER, EVER HAD. We have literally never had a player of his skill set. Jokinen was the closest thing to a #1 center this franchise has ever had and his defensive game was lacking to say the least. Barkov is our Toews. I keep saying it but I believe it. The kind of player that can not only shut down your top line, but take it back down into their end and score one himself.
When we see him play, it'll be to the same effect of Huberdeau in all the fans saying "I can't believe how skilled this kid is" and "we've NEVER had someone like him before!".
