R S
Registered User
- Sep 18, 2006
- 25,468
- 10
I've been told by a fairly good source that Finnish C Aleksander 'Sasha' Barkov is the target for the Colorado Avalanche as we approach the 2013 NHL Draft.
This may come as a shock to some people, but it shouldn't be. I remember watching him for the first time when he was a young 16 year old at the 2012 World Juniors for Finland. He was one of the youngest players at the event as he had just turned 16 that September. He stood out in amazing fashion. He was big, had great offensive and defensive instincts and ended up with 4 points in 7 games. He also posted 16 points in 32 games in the Finnish Elite League that season, as a 16 year old.
He transitioned into his draft year this past season, putting up 7 points in 6 games at the 2013 World Juniors in Russia. It was also his second year in the Finnish League with Tappara and he ended up posting 21 goals and 48 points in 53 games before an injury ended his season.
He enters the 2013 NHL Entry Draft as one of the youngest players available and was involved in one-on-one interviews with the Avalanche at the recent combine in Toronto.
As for his style of game, he's very similar to Anze Kopitar. He's big, he's fluid, he's got great hockey sense, good vision and a good shot. His skating has been considered his biggest weakness over the last few years, and it's still probably his biggest weakness, but it has definitely improved.
Get the full piece here:
http://whl-from-above.blogspot.ca/2013/06/source-barkov-is-true-draft-target-for.html
This may come as a shock to some people, but it shouldn't be. I remember watching him for the first time when he was a young 16 year old at the 2012 World Juniors for Finland. He was one of the youngest players at the event as he had just turned 16 that September. He stood out in amazing fashion. He was big, had great offensive and defensive instincts and ended up with 4 points in 7 games. He also posted 16 points in 32 games in the Finnish Elite League that season, as a 16 year old.
He transitioned into his draft year this past season, putting up 7 points in 6 games at the 2013 World Juniors in Russia. It was also his second year in the Finnish League with Tappara and he ended up posting 21 goals and 48 points in 53 games before an injury ended his season.
He enters the 2013 NHL Entry Draft as one of the youngest players available and was involved in one-on-one interviews with the Avalanche at the recent combine in Toronto.
As for his style of game, he's very similar to Anze Kopitar. He's big, he's fluid, he's got great hockey sense, good vision and a good shot. His skating has been considered his biggest weakness over the last few years, and it's still probably his biggest weakness, but it has definitely improved.
Get the full piece here:
http://whl-from-above.blogspot.ca/2013/06/source-barkov-is-true-draft-target-for.html
