Not this again.
I’m a Panthers homer, but I go with LD. Doesn’t mean I’d deal each other one for one. Drai will dominate the poll, and rightfully so. And he would with any player he’s up against.
He’s a unicorn to me. Undoubtedly a top 5 player because what he does now. My ONLY negative thought on him has, and always will be, is how good he would be on a team without 97.
Let’s take this poll for example. Barkov has been over a PPG center for 3+ seasons now.. Not taking into account this season, how would he do on the Panthers, centering 3rd and 4th line wingers, while taking the most defensive zone draws of any top 5 center, playing extensive PK time, and overall TOI. And having average players centering lines behind him? The Panthers had terrible issues scoring goals, which resulted in them moving Huberdeau off his line a few seasons ago. And taking all that into account, he still is above a PPG.
I think that if the roles were reversed now, Drai would thrive in Florida, and probably even improve their PP, because Barkov is so passive. And I also think the Oilers would look different as well, with Barkov centering their second line. They might not miss too much scoring, because Barkov has the magic in which you can add nearly anyone to his line, and they will score goals.