|
Why Aleksandr Barkov Will Challenge for First Overall |
|
|
|
|
|
Ok, it's time to shed that lame all-time bullocks and get down to something that will be tangible. Prospects are my favourite game, and it's currently one of the few things keeping me interested in hockey.
It’s never too early to start the next hype machine for the 2013 Draft, especially with the eerie similarities to the last lockout. TSN is clearly on the MacKinnon, Jones, Monahan and Lindholm train currently, with Barkov hovering around 5-10. I’d like to show why he’ll challenge for the top spot.
Barkov is one of the youngest players in the draft. Unlike many players pegged to go early, he doesn't have an early birthday. In fact he and MacKinnon are born one day from each other and both make the cut of this draft by only 2 weeks (September 2nd, 1995). Usually players born in the later months are guys who come out of nowhere to make an impact since they’re usually behind in their development. Not so with MacKinnon or Barkov both of whom are playing better than the older group.
Maturity is another key to Barkov’s game. Since he began playing in the Finnish system he has never played with his own age level and has constantly played against older opponents, including being one of the youngest players in SM-liiga history starting the season at 16 last season. He has a well-developed two-way game that is continuing to improve. It’s hard to imagine that at 17 he is on the top line of his team and even plays at times on the secondary PK unit. Last year at the U20 WJC’s he became the second youngest player to score a goal, the youngest Finnish player to make the team and didn't look out of place in a tournament filled with guys 3-5 years older than him. He’s a calm player that rarely makes mistakes.
There is some trepidation about taking Finnish forwards early in the first round. Most people remember the trio of disappointments that came in 2004 with Tukonen, Nokelainen and Korpikoski. Yet when you look at it, other than Mikael Granlund and Olli Jokinen nobody has done greatly in the SM-liiga in their draft year, most barely made it past the third line, they would gradually gain more ice-time as they grew older. Barkov was great as a rookie putting up numbers most draft eligible Fins that go in the first round barely put up (7 goals 16 points in 32 games). To show my point I’ll show the numbers for almost all first round Finnish forward put up in their draft year compared to what Barkov has done so far for Tappara. I won’t put them all because drafting was pretty murky in the early 90’s.
Aleksandr (Sasha) Barkov – Birthdate September 2 – Draft year totals so far 11 games 8 goals 7 assists 15 points +6 (Third in SM-liiga points first in goals)
Teuvo Teräväinen – 18th Overall 2012 Birthdate September 11 – Draft year totals 40 games 11 goals 7 assists 18 points -5
Joel Armia – 16th Overall 2011 Birthdate May 31 – Draft year totals 48 games 18 goals 11 assists 29 points +9
Mikael Granlund – 9th Overall 2010 Birthdate February 26 – Draft year totals 43 games 13 goals 27 assists 40 points +11
Lauri Tukonen – 11th Overall 2004 Birthdate September 1 – Draft year totals 35 games 3 goals 3 assists 6 points -2
Petteri Nokelainen – 16th Overall 2004 Birthdate January 16 – Draft year totals 40 games 4 goals 4 assists 8 points -4
Lauri Korpikoski – 19th Overall 2004 Birthdate July 28 – Did not play in SM-liiga was in Jr. A U20.
Jesse Niinimäki – 15th Overall 2002 Birthdate August 19 – Draft year totals 16 games 2 goals 4 assists 6 points +2
Sean Bergenheim – 22nd Overall 2002 Birthdate February 8 – Draft year totals 28 games 2 goals 2 assists 4 points +1
Mikko Koivu – 6th Overall 2001 Birthdate March 12 – Draft year totals 21 games 0 goals 1 assist 1 point -1
Tuomo Ruutu – 9th Overall 2001 Birthdate February 16 – Draft year totals 47 games 11 goals 11 assists 22 points +8
Jani Rita – 13th Overall 1999 Birthdate July 25 – Draft year totals 41 games 3 goals 2 assists 5 points
Olli Jokinen – 3rd Overall 1997 Birthdate December 5 – Draft year totals 50 games 14 goals 27 assists 41 points
Saku Koivu – 21st Overall 1993 Birthdate November 23 – Draft year totals 46 games 3 goals 7 assists 10 points
Teemu Selänne – 10th Overall 1988 Birthdate July 3 – Didn’t play in the SM-liiga, played in Jr.A U20
What does this show you might ask? Simply that he is showing signs and skills to become one of the best Finnish forwards of all time. Unlike many Fins in recent seasons with high-end offensive abilities, Barkov has size (6’2 210lbs), most forwards coming out of Finland are 5’11 and under. Two-way play, great size, great offensive instincts, goes to the net and dominating in a men’s league with a chance to win the scoring race…what more could you ask for…well he could play physical, oh well.
In the end it’s early and there are many factors that could change any players ranking at any time. If Barkov keeps up this torrid pace (Hell he could only score 5 more goals and 10 more assists and be in the top 5) and has a good showing in the U20’s, I can’t see him anywhere but one.
Thanks for reading.
Follow me on twitter @AdamFrenchReal
I'm going to keep up the KHL/MHL blogs coming with the top prospects and such.
Join the Discussion:
»