Intangir
Registered User
Barkov is much better defensively, owns a higher skill level, a better vision, much better skating and is tougher to knock off the puck when along the boards. That said, he is also 5 years older and there is much potential for Kotkaniemi to improve out there so he could realistically make up for much of the difference that exists right now.
Overall I feel Barkov currently is a better player than KK ever will be. No disrespect to Kotkaniemi but Barkov is a top 5 or top 10 centerman out there for me. But I'm of the opinion that Mint will end up the more physical of the two, meaner and harder to play against in his prime, and with Suzuki there he won't have to carry nearly as heavy a load as Barkov has had to in Florida alongside Huberdeau, which should lead to much more on-ice success.
But anyways, comparisons are meaningless. What matters is how those players behave on the ice, and Kotkaniemi has been fantastic for us since the break. If he takes the same fire with him during the season I wouldn't be surprised if he eventually becomes a 60+ point center with both stout defense and physicality, and a grade-a contributor for us long-term.
