Barkov shutdown style slightly overrated?

[batting1k]

wut

 

[PaulD]

Last season vs Toronto is a great example of what he's capable of in a shutdown role. Out of the opposition he had most minutes 5v5 vs Marner & Matthews, took a whopping 2 O-zone draws, 12 in the neutral zone and 20 in D-zone, yet they played 0-0 hockey while Barkov's line actually had better xGF%, that is just insane with those zone starts.

Now the evil minds might suggest anyone can shutdown Marner and Matthews in the playoffs, but that was super impressive series from Barkov.

Another thing is he tends to really elevate his linemates, it's pretty funny some of the "first line" wingers he's had over the years. Not so much lately perhaps, though even last season in the playoffs Duclair was on his wing a lot.

Anyway, don't make up your mind on a player judged solely on 1 series, whether your impression is positive or negative. FWIW I think Matthews in some ways is way more ideal opponent to Barkov than McDavid will be, but we'll see. Actually I wouldn't be surprised if they go vs McDavid with the 3rd line a lot. If McDavid keeps playing like 25+ minutes a game, they might have to anyway.

Well said.

Not a lower tier league, but he certainly wouldn’t be the player he is today without that time with Jagr. Priceless lessons that Barkov learned from Jags

Didn't know that.....or forgot.
cheers

 

[Cubs2024wildcard]

2 time selke winner, but overrated?

Yeah no

 

[danpantz]

He plays in every situation against the other teams best players and more goals are scored for his team than against his team during his ice time.

That’s winning hockey right there.

 

[gretzkyoilers]

I suspect he will do a fairly good job of containing McDavid. It has the be priority number one for the Panthers.

I also suspect Draisaitl feasts on second pairings.

It is so hard to predict. Some lower tier players can give a star player a major headache. Jagr stated he hated playing against Eric Cairns...hardly a HoF defenseman, but a very big and strong and very defensive minded player.

These playoffs have been full of surprises!

 

[Chaos2k7]

I am in this thread arguing that Barkov is very good, saying OP is out to lunch.

But dude- you’re saying Barkov is equal to Datsyuk in stickhandling. That’s a really high bar, and Datsyuk 100% has a nostalgic glow about him. He stood out for his era in a way Barkov doesn’t, sorry, don’t really care to debate if they’re technically equal. You also put Barkov above Bergeron, which is just gonna lead to Boston hate and is another tall claim.

Just an awful approach, you’re gonna push more people into calling him overrated than you are gonna convince ‘em. You don’t have any objective metrics, just “trust me, watch better” which is not a strong argument.

 

[Golden_Jet]

Barkov with a landslide win for Selke, no one even in the same ballpark for votes.

Disagree on Swayman. Bobrovsky's high danger save percentage was considerably higher than Swayman's in that series. Swayman didn't make the big saves, Bobrovsky did. If you swap goalies there the Panthers don't win.

Shesterkin and Swayman were better than Bob in both series.

 

[PaulD]

2 time selke winner, but overrated?

Yeah no

agreed..
Barkov over rated?
Nope.
Under rated if anything.

 

[WEMCHUD]

HAHAHAHAHHAAHHA.

Can someone post the graphic of Kucherov, Pastrnak, and Panarin and their goals scored against the Panthers.

Not saying Barkov isn't elite, but I remember people were posting graphics about defensive superstud Tanev before round 3 started...

 

[elmaco]

If not for Jagr Barkov would be playing in a lower tier league in Finland! Jagr = GOAT

So far as "mentors" go, he couldn't have done any better. Jagr giving him tips and tricks, priceless information.

 

[tapi]

Keep in mind Barkov has traditionally been underwhelming in the playoffs and while after the addition of Tkatchuk to take the lead he has been better, what we have seen during this post-season for instance, going against the inept of offense of the likes of Rangers is a whole different ballpark than playing against McDavid supported by Drai.

Will he wilt under the pressure as has been so far customary, or can he deliver his A-game when it truly matters? We will see how he reacts.

 

[elmaco]

Panthers won both of their games vs EDM this season, they propably are prepared and know what they are up against.

 

[Skolman]

As someone who doesn't watch the Panthers much.

Is anyone else curious to see how Barkov's style does against the speed of 97's?

It seems like McDavid's toughest tests have come with guys that can skate with him and be a pest(ex. Kadri, Miller).

I almost feel like it would be better for the Panthers to stick Bennett on McDavid, and Barkov on Draisaitl

 

[barkovcanfinnish]

Keep in mind Barkov has traditionally been underwhelming in the playoffs and while after the addition of Tkatchuk to take the lead he has been better, what we have seen during this post-season for instance, going against the inept of offense of the likes of Rangers is a whole different ballpark than playing against McDavid supported by Drai.

Will he wilt under the pressure as has been so far customary, or can he deliver his A-game when it truly matters? We will see how he reacts.

He’s been great in every series this year.

 

[BB88]

I suspect he will do a fairly good job of containing McDavid. It has the be priority number one for the Panthers.

I also suspect Draisaitl feasts on second pairings.

Luostarinen- Lundell is one helluva match up line and I bet Maurice wants them against Drai

They don’t take a damm shift off

Not saying Barkov isn't elite, but I remember people were posting graphics about defensive superstud Tanev before round 3 started...

You know Barkov has 2 Selkes and his
reputation isn’t build on 3 playoff rounds?

Lot of Edmonton fans seem to be claiming how overconfident Panthers fans are on how Barkov will do against McDavid while in bigger picture Edmonton fans are trying to downplay Barkovs impact as much as they can

 

[BB88]

As someone who doesn't watch the Panthers much.

Is anyone else curious to see how Barkov's style does against the speed of 97's?

It seems like McDavid's toughest tests have come with guys that can skate with him and be a pest(ex. Kadri, Miller).

I almost feel like it would be better for the Panthers to stick Bennett on McDavid, and Barkov on Draisaitl

Barkov never cheats for offense and his touch for the game(anticipation) is world class. He always seems to be a step ahead.

& his skating is heavily underrated

& as I said above Bennett- Tkachuk will try to feast against the lower lines meanwhile the Finnish lines will go against McDavid& Drai


Not trying to say McDavid couldn’t dominate against the Panthers, just that Barkov is annoying as h.ll to play against

 

[LTIR]

Barkov never cheats for offense and his touch for the game(anticipation) is world class. He always seems to be a step ahead.

& his skating is heavily underrated

& as I said above Bennett- Tkachuk will try to feast against the lower lines meanwhile the Finnish lines will go against McDavid& Drai

Should be an exciting series..

 

[WEMCHUD]

You know Barkov has 2 Selkes and his
reputation isn’t build on 3 playoff rounds?

Lot of Edmonton fans seem to be claiming how overconfident Panthers fans are on how Barkov will do against McDavid while in bigger picture Edmonton fans are trying to downplay Barkovs impact as much as they can

Sure, and Connor and Leon are 3rd and 4th all time in playoff points/game behind only Wayne and Mario. Could say the same thing about panthers fans downplaying how good Connor and Leon are and the impact they could have.

Guess we'll find out once the series is over! Hope it's a good one!

 

[gretzkyoilers]

Barkov never cheats for offense and his touch for the game(anticipation) is world class. He always seems to be a step ahead.

& his skating is heavily underrated

& as I said above Bennett- Tkachuk will try to feast against the lower lines meanwhile the Finnish lines will go against McDavid& Drai


Not trying to say McDavid couldn’t dominate against the Panthers, just that Barkov is annoying as h.ll to play against

Maybe Knob switches things up and gets McD and Drai against lesser Panthers lineups? He's been an adaptive and smart coach and has Coffey....will be interesting to see

 

[Bank Shot]

Maybe Knob switches things up and gets McD and Drai against lesser Panthers lineups? He's been an adaptive and smart coach and has Coffey....will be interesting to see

McDavid has 23 points in 13 games vs the Panthers in his career. The Cats haven't been a team he has struggled against.

We will soon find out if they have come up with something to stop him.

 

[Cyclones Rock]

Barkov's 2 Selke Trophies speaks for itself.

McDavid is a on-of-a-kind player. Every time he has the puck-whether it's in his own zone or behind the opponent's net-he is a scoring threat.

I doubt the Panthers expect to shut McDavid down-even with Barkov. Their goal is probably to contain him to no more than a point per game. If they can do this, they'll win. However, that's no small task.

Looking forward to this series. Go Oilers!

 

[Cats2TheCup]

As someone who doesn't watch the Panthers much.

Is anyone else curious to see how Barkov's style does against the speed of 97's?

It seems like McDavid's toughest tests have come with guys that can skate with him and be a pest(ex. Kadri, Miller).

I almost feel like it would be better for the Panthers to stick Bennett on McDavid, and Barkov on Draisaitl

They’ll want to deploy their Selke winner against McDavid. I understand the desire for speed but Barkov is faster than he appears, and his positioning, size, stick, awareness and hockey IQ are the most formidable toolbox the Panthers will have for disrupting McDavid.

 

[Oak]

the nerd stuff all supports barkov as the league's premier 2 way center

wouldn't know i dont know how to read the nerd stuff, but my eye test rarely wrong

 

[ScottyMascotty]

ok

 

[Seachd]

I get he's a phenom of a player, but when I look at his stats this playoff as being this "shut down guy", I'm not seeing it. It's no shot at the guy, but I'm genuinely interested in hearing what makes him this phenom of a shutdown guy. His +- isn't that good and at 17 points you would hope it to be better? Once again, not a shot at the guy, just looking for input.

Protip: +/- is a weird stat to base this on.