C Aleksander Barkov - Tampere Tappara, FEL (2013 Draft)

[Latex*]

Dunno about them, but i agree with you racking up points in blowout games means nothing was More impressed by his excellent Pk, and When he had the puck i didn'T see much turnovers if Any. Extremely smart player. These things makes me so high about him. Haven't seen player with that maturity in a While. Love his attitude aswell, blocks shots when the game is like 6-1, talks alot with his linemates before the faceoffs, true leader aswell. He had Better game against USA imo. The talk about bashing is nonsence, most of the ppl rank Granlund AS top 3-10 prospect. Armia? I don't like him either. I like only prospects with 2way ability and smart game or guys who hustle alot. He needs More agility and Speed in his first strides. But he went from a 5'10 to a 6'2 in 2 years so he isn't Very familiar with his body.

Meh, I'd rank Armia as a better NHL prospect than Granlund. IMO he'll end up with more points when it's all said and done. If you watch him play you will realize that the talk about him being lazy is... nonsense. He finishes his checks and plays an ok defensive game.

Granlund will make it to the NHL, but i see more of a PP specialist in him. He looked more comfortable in WC in bigger ice against the best teams than in SM-Liiga against physical teams in smaller ice. Oh and he probably is around the 10th prospect or so.

 

[thomast]

Meh, I'd rank Armia as a better NHL prospect than Granlund. IMO he'll end up with more points when it's all said and done. If you watch him play you will realize that the talk about him being lazy is... nonsense. He finishes his checks and plays an ok defensive game.

Granlund will make it to the NHL, but i see more of a PP specialist in him. He looked more comfortable in WC in bigger ice against the best teams than in SM-Liiga against physical teams in smaller ice. Oh and he probably is around the 10th prospect or so.

Armia is Very inconsistent, hes performance AT PO's was disappointing and was benched in 1 game. Isn't lazy but granlunds game gets Better in big games. Granlund is way Better prospect imo top 5, Armia is barely top 50. And i'll Tell you, Granlund did AS good in fel playoffs AS wc. The game is More intense and physical in the playoffs. PP specialist? Granlund is much better overall player than Armia. Armia is the one who is more of an offensive player. Granlund played as a winger at WC not much defensive duties like he had when he played center at FEL. There is big difference. I think that Granlund makes more points in NHL and plays better overall game. Granlund projects +PPG above average 1st line center, armia projects 30-30 top 6 winger, at prime +40 goals if he reach his potential. If he even plays in the NHL.

 

[thomast]

Couple good plays which ended as a goal in slovakia game.

2 39:04 FIN_18 1:6 9 Aleksander Barkov SH1


Nice play at Penalty killing, it shows how he reads the game and amazing hand-eye coordination. Looks taller than Ristolainen so he should be 6'3, hes growing fast. Could end up 6'5 with this growing rate. What he eats ?

1 00:15 FIN_18 0:1 20 Teuvo Teräväinen (9 Aleksander Barkov, 10 Juuso Ikonen) EQ


Nice pass.

3 47:16 FIN_18 1:8 9 Aleksander Barkov (20 Teuvo Teräväinen, 10 Juuso Ikonen) EQ


Little of his physical play and wrister.

 

[WayneBruce]

Armia is Very inconsistent, hes performance AT PO's was disappointing and was benched in 1 game. Isn't lazy but granlunds game gets Better in big games. Granlund is way Better prospect imo top 5, Armia is barely top 50. And i'll Tell you, Granlund did AS good in fel playoffs AS wc. The game is More intense and physical in the playoffs. PP specialist? Granlund is much better overall player than Armia. Armia is the one who is more of an offensive player. Granlund played as a winger at WC not much defensive duties like he had when he played center at FEL. There is big difference. I think that Granlund makes more points in NHL and plays better overall game. Granlund projects +PPG above average 1st line center, armia projects 30-30 top 6 winger, at prime +40 goals if he reach his potential. If he even plays in the NHL.

I think you are being a little bit too optimistic in your projections.

 

[thomast]

I think you are being a little bit too optimistic in your projections.

If Armia plays in NHL it's top 6 role and PP, i see him putting those like numbers at NHL. Can't see armia playing NHL with mediciore stats he doesen't bring much other aspects. and for Granlund if Koivu can do nearly PPG then Granlund will be PPG+ player, He was much better offensively than Koivu IMO, beast at PP i think he would put +60 in the NHL this season, you saw how much damage he could do at WC with Immonen's shot, imagine him playing PP with Heatley and we know how good is his shot.

 

[Latex*]

Armia is Very inconsistent, hes performance AT PO's was disappointing and was benched in 1 game. Isn't lazy but granlunds game gets Better in big games. Granlund is way Better prospect imo top 5, Armia is barely top 50. And i'll Tell you, Granlund did AS good in fel playoffs AS wc. The game is More intense and physical in the playoffs. PP specialist? Granlund is much better overall player than Armia. Armia is the one who is more of an offensive player. Granlund played as a winger at WC not much defensive duties like he had when he played center at FEL. There is big difference. I think that Granlund makes more points in NHL and plays better overall game. Granlund projects +PPG above average 1st line center, armia projects 30-30 top 6 winger, at prime +40 goals if he reach his potential. If he even plays in the NHL.

Point out all the slow (ish) 5'10 over PPG players in the NHL. They are a very rare breed. IMO Granlund is pretty similar to Jiri Hudler. Yeah, i project him to be something like that when/if he makes it.
You are right about Granlund being the better player overall. Most/ almost all of his offense is created on the PP though.

I'm pretty sure i have watched Granlund more than you have, being from Helsinki and an IFK fan.

Kind of useless argument this is. Armia will end up better, you'll see

 

[thomast]

Point out all the slow (ish) 5'10 over PPG players in the NHL. They are a very rare breed. IMO Granlund is pretty similar to Jiri Hudler. Yeah, i project him to be something like that when/if he makes it.
You are right about Granlund being the better player overall. Most/ almost all of his offense is created on the PP though.

I'm pretty sure i have watched Granlund more than you have, being from Helsinki and an IFK fan.

Kind of useless argument this is. Armia will end up better, you'll see

Granlund plays tougher game than Armia, his skating is better than armia. He isn't slow by any means, has gotten faster. I've seen alot of both Armia's game and Granlund's game. We never can tell what happens until it happens but Granlund is way better prospect than Armia,despite he is smallish he is lower risk and even higher ceiling.

 

[WayneBruce]

If Armia plays in NHL it's top 6 role and PP, i see him putting those like numbers at NHL. Can't see armia playing NHL with mediciore stats he doesen't bring much other aspects. and for Granlund if Koivu can do nearly PPG then Granlund will be PPG+ player, He was much better offensively than Koivu IMO, beast at PP i think he would put +60 in the NHL this season, you saw how much damage he could do at WC with Immonen's shot, imagine him playing PP with Heatley and we know how good is his shot.

Paajarvi in WC: 5G 4A 9P

Paajarvis rookie season: 15G 19A 34P

Granlund in WC: 2G 7A 9P

Granlunds rookie season: ??

If Granlund had played this upcoming season i think we could have seen something similar to Paajarvis stats. Maybe slightly better because of better teammates, if he happens to play a lot with them.

 

[thomast]

Paajarvi in WC: 5G 4A 9P

Paajarvis rookie season: 15G 19A 34P

Granlund in WC: 2G 7A 9P

Granlunds rookie season: ??

If Granlund had played this upcoming season i think we could have seen something similar to Paajarvis stats. Maybe slightly better because of better teammates, if he happens to play a lot with them.

Jeff Skinner 6P 7GP on WC 63P 82GP NHL, your argument isn't equal, theyre differend players, plays very differend game

 

[Latex*]

Granlund plays tougher game than Armia, his skating is better than armia. He isn't slow by any means, has gotten faster. I've seen alot of both Armia's game and Granlund's game. We never can tell what happens until it happens but Granlund is way better prospect than Armia,despite he is smallish he is lower risk and even higher ceiling.

No. Armia is faster player than Granlund. His stride is smoother and IMO technically better. (excluding the first few steps)

You didn't point out the players i asked.

 

[thomast]

No. Armia is faster player than Granlund. His stride is smoother and IMO technically better. (excluding the first few steps)

You didn't point out the players i asked.

Technically better skater? never, Granlund's hockey skating is very good. Faster i don't know. His stride is bigger so Granlund need's more strides than Armia. This thread is about Barkov. We both have differend opinions.

 

[WayneBruce]

Jeff Skinner 6P 7GP on WC 63P 82GP NHL, your argument isn't equal, theyre differend players, plays very differend game

You are right, Paajarvi has size and huge speed. Granlund is good but no way he would have gotten 60 points this year. Comparing a canadian with a european player is also wrong, it takes time to get used to NA game.

There are always people that tend to think their favourite prospects will explode in the NHL, I dont think Granlund will. But who knows, Skinner did.

Also, predicting Armia to reach 40 goals is just ridiculus atm. But we´ll see.

 

[Latex*]

Technically better skater? never, Granlund's hockey skating is very good. Faster i don't know. Hes stride is bigger so Granlund need's more strides than Armia.

Granlund wastes huge amount of energy with his skating. Oh and even if you don't agree, 6'3 skater that's faster than the 5'10 guy is something.

And no, Granlund isn't a "very good hockey skater" for his size.

PP specialist is still my quess.

 

[Aspirine]

Thx for the videos thomast, much appreciated! But boy does that Ikonen kid look small!
Barkov looks pretty promising, but he's also much bigger than the comp (in these videos at least). Let's see what he can do in 2/3 years against men his size before starting the hype train.

 

[thomast]

Thx for the videos thomast, much appreciated! But boy does that Ikonen kid look small!
Barkov looks pretty promising, but he's also much bigger than the comp (in these videos at least). Let's see what he can do in 2/3 years against men his size before starting the hype train.

Yeah, hes already playing against 1-2 year older top prospects at Ivan Hlinka.

 

[sinettiseura]

Granlund wastes huge amount of energy with his skating. Oh and even if you don't agree, 6'3 skater that's faster than the 5'10 guy is something.

And no, Granlund isn't a "very good hockey skater" for his size.

PP specialist is still my quess.

I don't want to take part on your argument about who is better prospect Armia or Granny, but I think that Granlund's skating technique is good and it's better than Armia's. Granlund has grood balance and he can use the blade better. The stride is imo also better because of his skating position. The thing is that imo Armia has more explossiveness in his legs and that's why Armia is maybe faster than Granlund.

 

[thomast]

You are right, Paajarvi has size and huge speed. Granlund is good but no way he would have gotten 60 points this year. Comparing a canadian with a european player is also wrong, it takes time to get used to NA game.

There are always people that tend to think their favourite prospects will explode in the NHL, I dont think Granlund will. But who knows, Skinner did.

Also, predicting Armia to reach 40 goals is just ridiculus atm. But we´ll see.

My prediction is that he doesen't even have very long NHL career, if he does he gonna be sniper. 40 goals at prime if he reaches his max potential and plays as a regular NHLer. Why is that crazy? i doubt you have seen ever armia playing, he has very high ceiling being risky prospect. How you know it that Granlund wouldn't get 60P? are you fortune teller? have you watched Granlund enough? i didn't compare i just blocked your comparison on paajarvi it isn't equal, Granlund has the vision, hockey iq and smarts much better than Pääjärvis IMO. Your an russian? didn't see Granlund dominating them? Granlund was so by far better offensive player than Mikko Koivu, they played at the same team and Koivu is nearly PPG with bad players. Of course he has to adjust NA game. Your underestimating Granlund because he is smallish, but he plays like big man and isn't scared of contact. I would of been hugely disappointed if Granlund wouldn't put 60P in rookie season but of course there is possibility that he scores less than 60 P, you seem to be saying that he has no chance at scoring 60P. He could produce even more, this kid always suprises me.

 

[R S]

Looks to need some work on his skating. Love his physical play though.

 

[thomast]

Looks to need some work on his skating. Love his physical play though.

Yeah, skating is definetly his weakest asset, good positioning tho, but if he gets faster, and more agility he will be absolute beast. Big physical player who can score, pass, heavy shot, excellent at penalty killing, creates alot of turnovers to opponents with his good game reading ability, rarely loses the puck, good mature play similar to Mikael Granlund. Could be most complete foward for 2013 draft. Mackinnon should be still clear #1 tho. Anything can happen in 2 years he's developement could stop or burst up, promising at this point tho. 2013 draft looks very sick atm.

 

[R S]

Talk about hand eye co-ordination on that one goal too hey? Wow. Knocks it out of mid-air then snipes on the breakaway.

 

[Foxlockbox]

This kid would already be considered a physical speciemen at 187 cm / 6'2" and 86 kg / 190 lbs. Don't think there is much fat there either. Couple of years to gain muscle, especially some for leg speed, and the kid should be dare I say it, a 1st overall contender.

Thomast, love your enthuasim buddy, but pay attention to your Writing cos Its annoying to Read if there are Capital letters randomly everywhere.

 

[thomast]

This kid would already be considered a physical speciemen at 187 cm / 6'2" and 86 kg / 190 lbs. Don't think there is much fat there either. Couple of years to gain muscle, especially some for leg speed, and the kid should be dare I say it, a 1st overall contender.

Thomast, love your enthuasim buddy, but pay attention to your Writing cos Its annoying to Read if there are Capital letters randomly everywhere.

I'm writing on iPhone. It's messed up, he actualy looked taller than ristolainen in one of the clips i posted. So he should be 6'3. This kid was 6'0 168 lbs last year, seems to be naturally heavy body. I think he's father was 6'3 220lb's. I think that barkov Ends up about 6'4-6'5 200-220 lbs at draft. I hope he doesen't stack 2 much muscle because he loses agility. If he manages to Speed up and put decent numbers at fel at his draft season he has shot at top 3. He's the type player who Fits in every Team. Because he can do everything Very Well, and his physicality is made for NHL. I loved his leadership ability in these games, talks alot on the ice and guide his linemates. Blocks shots When game is over like 6-1. That Tells about his personality.

 

[Foxlockbox]

I'm writing on iPhone. It's messed up, he actualy looked taller than ristolainen in one of the clips i posted. So he should be 6'3. This kid was 6'0 168 lbs last year, seems to be naturally heavy body. I think he's father was 6'3 220lb's. I think that barkov Ends up about 6'4-6'5 200-220 lbs at draft. I hope he doesen't stack 2 much muscle because he loses agility. If he manages to Speed up and put decent numbers at fel at his draft season he has shot at top 3. He's the type player who Fits in every Team. Because he can do everything Very Well, and his physicality is made for NHL. I loved his leadership ability in these games, talks alot on the ice and guide his linemates. Blocks shots When game is over like 6-1. That Tells about his personality.

Yeah there is great potential in this kid to be something special. Big centerman, could play big forward two way game (not gonna throw the power forward tag on him yet), and be a great leader too. Basically the dream center, big, skillful complete game with leadership qualities.

 

[edd1e]

Yeah there is great potential in this kid to be something special. Big centerman, could play big forward two way game (not gonna throw the power forward tag on him yet), and be a great leader too. Basically the dream center, big, skillful complete game with leadership qualities.

Mikko Koivu version 2?

 

[Foxlockbox]

Mikko Koivu version 2?

He even has the same problem, medicore skating