Redline : Bryce McConnell-Barker C 6'1 176Lbs LHS Sault St Marie Ranking was #78
Another Ontario ’04 birthdate whose development was slowed
by the loss of a season. A smooth and rangy centre with size and all the
physical tools necessary to be a real force in the OHL, yet he was never
any kind of force in our viewings. With his long, lanky frame, loose
wrists, and fluid skating ability, he looks like he should be a really productive
player – but he’s not. Should dominate down the middle. Has
size/strength, a powerful stride with good balance, and a heavy shot.
He’s able to pressure defenders with speed 1-on-1 and then capitalize
quickly if they take a false step. Forces defencemen to back off the
blue line and walks them down into the slot. Received quality 2nd
line icetime and PP duty on a strong club, yet is not a forceful player.
Seems to lack intensity. He’s a mystifying enigma.
Projection: Inconsistent 3rd line centre.
Style compares to: Ryan Poehling
Blackbook : 6'1 193Lbs (Big difference from Redlines weight) Ranked #101
He’s a good-sized centerman with good defensive attributes, reading the play well away from the puck, and has a good stick. He’s can be a good contributor to a PK unit because of those two assets. In our viewings this season, we witnessed some good anticipation on his part and his ability to create turnovers in the neutral zone because of it (combined with his
active stick). He’s an average skater whose top speed can actually be decent, but his first three steps are quite clumsy, and his agility is average at best. He can struggle with pace at times and needs to bring his skating to a higher level if he wants to play in the NHL.
We don’t see him as much more than a 4th-line center at this point, and his hands are one reason why. He doesn’t handle the puck well, sometimes handling it like a hot potato in transition. He can’t beat players one-on-one cleanly with his hands and only has an average shot. At times, he is too slow to get his shot off and there’s nothing special about its velocity. His playmaking is fine; he has above-average smarts, but his overall skillset is average. This even applies to his compete level, which we wish was higher and more abrasive, as this would make his projection as a 4th-liner more
certain.
Good reviews;
"I like him alot, I think he's going in the top 3 rounds"
Bad reviews;
"No Heartbeat, it's a common theme in the PHL this year"
"I liked him less the more i saw him. Too many games where i didnt think he competed hard enough"
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