I like Gallant as a coach but, with his track record, will he be around to coach Barron when Barron is ready for the dance?
I’m guessing Barron makes the team right out of camp. So other fans might not but last year in his cup of coffee with the rangers he was solid and didn’t look out of place. He was also a PPG player in Hartford, though the AHL wasn’t the strongest last season.
He’s big, will play physical, very sneaky hard shot that gives goal tenders trouble, and plays along the boards and down low very well.
He would also most likely have Goodrow on his wing if he has trouble with Face offs in his first full season.
If Gallant is trying to mimic what he had in Vegas a few years ago as far as 3rd/4th lines go, Barron is an ideal candidate.
If by some chance he doesn’t make the squad out of camp, he’s most likely the first top 9 injury call up. And I think If that happens a half year or so into the season at most, and he sticks with the big boys for the rest of the year.
He’s already 22 years old. There’s only so much time he can spend in Hartford refining his skills. Eventually they have to let him go out there and play at the NHL level.
It’s not like his body needs to grow anymore, he has a good head on his shoulders and pretty positionally sound.
I know the rangers have a lot of players that need spots as well, so that is why they may keep him in the A for the start of the season until a trade/injury occurs. But he’s not far off from the show IMO