Even Gretzky is impressed by Barkov so far

[matsqq]

Gotta be honest, Gretzky is famously overly generous with his compliments. Not to say Barkov isn't an excellent 2 way centre, but to say "even Gretzky" is impressed doesn't mean as much as the title implies.

Gretzky would probably find a way to compliment my shot if he witnessed me float one on net from the blue line lol.

I googled and Gretzky gave cred to Elias Pettersson for example.

Vancouver Canucks: Wayne Gretzky compares Pettersson to Jordan

But right now EP:s shares are low, doesn't matter that he was injured, he sucks now , so I heard

 

[CashMash]

Offensively he is better than Bergeron but not better defensively.
He isn't as good Offensively or Defensively as Kopitar or Datsyuk .

Still a good player but recency bias is strong here .

How is he not as good offensively as Kopitar? You're out to lunch on that one. Barkov has scored 96 and 88 in 67.

I'm getting tired of people talking out of their buttholes regarding Barkov. He may not be Bergeron defensively, but to pretend he is completely outclassed by the players mentioned when he's very much the same archetype is lame.

 

[D Wakaluk]

I'm getting tired of people talking out of their buttholes regarding Barkov.

That will never change in HFBoards Main.

Some type of people can only accept one good defensive center from Yurop in 20 years, and they just learned/accepted Kopitar.

Give it another 20 years. In the meantime we can pretend that Barkov is "Connor McDude" from Ontario.

That Connor McDude is a great defensive center. This is the best way to appreciate McDude! He good! --- and it doesnt hurt to say

 

[eviohh26]

How is he not as good offensively as Kopitar? You're out to lunch on that one. Barkov has scored 96 and 88 in 67.

I'm getting tired of people talking out of their buttholes regarding Barkov. He may not be Bergeron defensively, but to pretend he is completely outclassed by the players mentioned when he's very much the same archetype is lame.

Kopitar played on a very low scoring team. He lead his team in points. next closest was 61 points 31 point gap . He also lead his team in points 9 seasons in a row. 14 times in total.

Barkov has lead his team 2 times. leading 2nd place by 4 points.

Kopitars best season he was 10th PPG , 8th in points over all.

Barkov best season 13th PPG. 10th in points overall.

It's close but you have to remember that Kopitar didn't play on a offensive power house that Barkov does. Kopitar has done more with less. He beat out a prime Bergeron for his Selke. Won 2 cups.

Barkov Selke was won over a injured Bergeron who only played 52 games.

I think Barkov is in the same tier as Kopitar but Kopitar is slightly better.