Even Gretzky is impressed by Barkov so far

[Miro4Norris]

Some of the conversation around Barkov is starting to remind me of the Toews overhype with people claiming he's better than McDavid.

We all know he's the best two way player in the league atm, but the way a few talk about him youd think he was doing it all himself. Let's not act like shutting down the teams best players these POs hasn't been a team effort. The entire team significantly improved on defense. Forsling has been an absolute beast defensively. Leading the league in +/- in the RS and POs this season. Reinhart is one of the best defensive wingers in the league and only this season did they start to gel, and Ekblad is pretty damn good too. He has played with these guys most of the time this season. Not to mention the system Maurice implemented. It was a work in progress last year, but now it's been perfected.

My point is the entire first unit has been shutting down the top lines, not just Barkov.

Coincidentally, all these players became elite playing with Barkov. Reinhart went from 30 goal scorer to almost 60 goal elite two way Winger once he became Barkov's linemate. I don't think Forsling was considered as a very good player before he started to share his ice time.. with Barkov. Love how solid he is but dude was picked up from the waivers.

Hoffmann and Dadonov were considered as a huge losses for Florida until they didn't play with Barkov anymore. Because they were immediately replaced by other leg out of the league guys Verhaeghe and Duclair. There are many other examples. I'd be interested to see how Rodrigues with and without Barkov stats look like.

And right, even Jagr said month ago that end of his NHL career was saved by.. getting on the line with Barkov which according to him, gave him 3 extra years in NHL. You think Barkov is overrated? The players vote him most underrated player, every year. But yeah I guess the guy has just been extremely lucky playing with all these elite guys.

 

[Felidae]

Coincidentally, all these players became elite playing with Barkov. Reinhart went from 30 goal scorer to almost 60 goal elite two way Winger once he became Barkov's linemate. I don't think Forsling was considered as a very good player before he started to share his ice time.. with Barkov. Hoffmann and Dadonov were considered as a huge losses for Florida until they didn't play with Barkov anymore. How about Duclair. There are many other examples. I'd be interested to see how Rodrigues with and without Barkov stats look like.

And right, even Jagr said month ago that end of his NHL career was saved by.. getting on the line with Barkov. But yeah I guess the guy has just been extremely lucky playing all these elite guys.

This is exactly what I mean overstating Barkov's effect.

Reinhart riding an unsustainably percentage has more to do with his own luck than anything. Also, Reinhart had an 82 point season without playing with Barkov in 2021. 12 points short of his total this year while missing 4 games. Obviously still a jump, but again, not this humongous leap.


Forsling has been very good for at least 3 seasons now and Panthers fans have been praising him for just as long ( a few thought he wss the best dman on the team even before this season). But its highlighted even more now since Montour has reverted back to normal and Ekblad has noticeably declined since 2021. So the spotlight is on him more than its ever been.

 

[IceManCat]

Coincidentally, all these players became elite playing with Barkov. Reinhart went from 30 goal scorer to almost 60 goal elite two way Winger once he became Barkov's linemate. I don't think Forsling was considered as a very good player before he started to share his ice time.. with Barkov. Love how solid he is but dude was picked up from the waivers.

Hoffmann and Dadonov were considered as a huge losses for Florida until they didn't play with Barkov anymore. Because they were immediately replaced by other leg out of the league guys Verhaeghe and Duclair. There are many other examples. I'd be interested to see how Rodrigues with and without Barkov stats look like.

And right, even Jagr said month ago that end of his NHL career was saved by.. getting on the line with Barkov which according to him, gave him 3 extra years in NHL. You think Barkov is overrated? The players vote him most underrated player, every year. But yeah I guess the guy has just been extremely lucky playing with all these elite guys.

One thing I’d like to mention here is that he seems to “teach” other players on the team his style. You can notice Bennett, Lusto, Lundell (baby Barkov) all poke checking and stick checking in a similiar way as Barkov. These guys emulate their game after him once they see what he does.

 

[Cats2TheCup]

Barkov > McDavid

Barkov > McDavid & Drai

FTFY

 

[ShootIt]

This is exactly what I mean overstating Barkov's effect.

Reinhart riding an unsustainably percentage has more to do with his own luck than anything.also, Reinhart had an 82 point season without playing with Barkov in 2021. 12 points short of his total this year while missing 4 games. Obviously still a jump, but again, not this humongous leap.


Forsling has been very good for at least 3 seasons now and Panthers fans have been praiding him for just as long ( a few thought he wss the best dman on the team even before this season). But its highlighted even more now since Montour has reverted back to normal and Ekblad has noticeably declined since 2021. So the spotlight is on him more than its ever been.

2021 was our run and gun style of play.

Everyone had inflated point totals.
The team was an offensive juggernaut in the regular season.

This year Reinhart has been able to get to the slot and fire off high danger shots.
Part of the reason is the PK has to focus on Barkov, Chucky and Swaggy.

Is he a 50+ goal scorer here on out? doubtful. but the chemistry between Reinhart and Barkov this year finally clicked and it's shown up on the eyes test and the stat sheet.
They are gelled on the PP, 5v5 and on the PK.

 

[ClydeLee]

Who will now take the mantel of underrated player?

 

[Magonus1703]

Who will now take the mantel of underrated player?

The guy who the players voted as the second most underrated player after Barkov. (I don't know who that is)

 

[SeanMoneyHands]

Barkov is the best 2 way player since Datsyuk and Zetterberg.

 

[Peltz]

Gretzky lowkey hates McDavid, two years ago he called Makar best D since Orr and said he was the best player in the world and proving it against the Oilers.

They also did the degenerate sports betting ad together where the bit is to be pissed at each other.

Makar is universally considered the best D-man in the league though. Certainly the best of the current generation of players. Why is it a stretch to say the best since Orr?

Idk… barkov is as elite as they come when he plays like this.

No one seems to have an answer for him. Rangers and now oilers can’t generate much against him.

 

[yeaher]

Makar is universally considered the best D-man in the league though. Certainly the best of the current generation of players. Why is it a stretch to say the best since Orr?

Idk… barkov is as elite as they come when he plays like this.

No one seems to have an answer for him. Rangers and now oilers can’t generate much against him.

And he has proved it in all 4 rounds unlike little mcd

I also remember Gretz being insanely impressed by the fact that Makar knew how to beat the offside rule and then f***ing went bar down like he was Mike Bossy at the end of the first period of game. Gretzky really likes guys who are that cerebral.

 

[MacKinnunen]

Barkov answers to Draisaitl by completely shutting him down again. 1+1, +2, GWG. Would have been a lot different game without him.

Now as the Edmonton was able to decide matchups, Mcdavid was finally able to do something beneficial on the ice as he didn't have to play against Barkov.

Mcdavid+Draisaitl+Bouchard=0+4, Barkov 1+3. How are you not supposed to be the best player in the world if you shut down and outscore every superstar you matchup against in playoffs, including 5 of 7 best scorers this year?

Bob is excellent, but what makes Florida better team on the ice is #16 who makes opponents superstars to play like replacement level players, and at the same time makes all his linemates best versions of themselves. I feel like since I started watching hockey, only Barkov and Crosby have had this ability consistently over their careers. Give him the Conn Smythe.

Finally someone who knows what he is talking about.

 

[paragon]

Some of the conversation around Barkov is starting to remind me of the Toews overhype with people claiming he's better than McDavid.

I agree. He's going from underrated to overrated super fast.

 

[authentic]

Makar is universally considered the best D-man in the league though. Certainly the best of the current generation of players. Why is it a stretch to say the best since Orr?

Idk… barkov is as elite as they come when he plays like this.

No one seems to have an answer for him. Rangers and now oilers can’t generate much against him.

Didn't they show before last game that McDavid had more than double the scoring chances against Barkov in the first two games?

 

[Marioesque]

I agree. He's going from underrated to overrated super fast.

It's hard to overrate someone who wins the matchup against any other player.

 

[Cup or Bust]

I agree. He's going from underrated to overrated super fast.

Barkov is playing well but not even close to the claims being made. Bobrovsky has been the elite level difference. If Skinner was Florida's goalie nothing Barkov is doing now would be winning anything. Not to blame Skinner for the series but the disparity between the goaltending in this series is glaring.

 

[Grifter3511]

Didn't they show before last game that McDavid had more than double the scoring chances against Barkov in the first two games?

And he was -4 against the Rangers with 1 even strength point in 6 games. Considering he was playing the worst 5on5 team in the history of the game, and he's the greatest player in the world, it seems unfathomable that he would have such a stat line.

 

[HamiltonNHL]

Barkov +4

how about Forsling !

 

[BB88]

Barkov is playing well but not even close to the claims being made. Bobrovsky has been the elite level difference. If Skinner was Florida's goalie nothing Barkov is doing now would be winning anything. Not to blame Skinner for the series but the disparity between the goaltending in this series is glaring.

Again this is just a stupid argument

Florida is miles better defensively than Edmonton

They’ve bought in 100%, their forwards are superior defensively and their Dmen can get out of the Dzone

When Florida played like Edmonton nobody had any respect for Bob

 

[Cup or Bust]

edit

 

[TheSuperElite]

Coincidentally, all these players became elite playing with Barkov. Reinhart went from 30 goal scorer to almost 60 goal elite two way Winger once he became Barkov's linemate. I don't think Forsling was considered as a very good player before he started to share his ice time.. with Barkov. Love how solid he is but dude was picked up from the waivers.

Hoffmann and Dadonov were considered as a huge losses for Florida until they didn't play with Barkov anymore. Because they were immediately replaced by other leg out of the league guys Verhaeghe and Duclair. There are many other examples. I'd be interested to see how Rodrigues with and without Barkov stats look like.

And right, even Jagr said month ago that end of his NHL career was saved by.. getting on the line with Barkov which according to him, gave him 3 extra years in NHL. You think Barkov is overrated? The players vote him most underrated player, every year. But yeah I guess the guy has just been extremely lucky playing with all these elite guys.

Again this is just a stupid argument

Florida is miles better defensively than Edmonton

They’ve bought in 100%, their forwards are superior defensively and their Dmen can get out of the Dzone

When Florida played like Edmonton nobody had any respect for Bob

LOL, where would this series be if Bobrovksy wasn't giving Florida first all star goaltending every night? The narrative on Barkov's defense might be a wee different, methinks.

 

[jonlin]

I don't really care what whiny, biased troll thinks. I have read enough of your posts to know.

Fun stuff. Oilers-fans can shout out what they like it seems. Mods from Alberta?

 

[BB88]

I don't really care what whiny, biased troll thinks. I have read enough of your posts to know.

As I said in another thread I’ve fallen in love with Edmonton over the last week

Whatever helps you sleep

 

[Cup or Bust]

LOL, where would this series be if Bobrovksy wasn't giving Florida first all star goaltending every night? The narrative on Barkov's defense might be a wee different, methinks.

I give credit to Florida, they are playing well defensively as well but the idea that goaltending has not been a huge difference maker is not accurate. Credit to Florida for having great goaltending, it's an important part of any team and the style they play is suited for a good defensive, good goaltending structure. They play it well, they have been in the finals before and they are getting the job done. They don't make many mistakes and when they do, they have a goalie that can make big saves for them and he has made a number of them in this series.

 

[BB88]

I give credit to Florida, they are playing well defensively as well but the idea that goaltending has not been a huge difference maker is not accurate. Credit to Florida for having great goaltending, it's an important part of any team and the style they play is suited for a good defensive, good goaltending structure. They play it well, they have been in the finals before and they are getting the job done.

Who the hell has said Bob hasn’t been great?

The point is Edmonton isn’t build to play like Florida and Bob would have a lot tougher time playing behind Edmontons team& the arguments Edmonton fans are making are extremely flawed

 

[Cup or Bust]

There is no way on earth the Oilers would have lost game one if Florida had a Skinner level goalie, and possibly not last night's either, but it doesn't really matter, Florida won and when you win, you deserve to win because good goaltending is part of winning the Cup, you can rarely win without it.