Nobody is disputing that Barkov is surging or that he will be a stud, but just because Barkov's getting better and Plekanec is getting worse doesn't mean that Plekanec isn't the better player at this moment in time. Yes at some point very soon Barkov will surpass Plekanec, but it hasn't happened yet.
Have you watched Plekanec and Barkov play this year?
Barkov is centering one of the top lines in the NHL...
Plekanec has 2ES goals in 3 months...