5'9 200lbs is not lacking in size. That's an extremely powerful frame, assuming he's not fat. A fit 5'9 200 is so much more likely to be strong near the net than a fit 6'2 200.Using lack of size as an argument against a player just doesn’t cut it anymore. It’s lazy.
@Caser gave some good insights on the Leafs board. Basically said that he likes Barabanov a little more than Mikheyev, but their talent levels are close. Also mentioned that Barabanov is looking for a top nine RW spot - so despite being a lefty he prefers his off-wing.Has anyone actually seen this guy play? It seems like both this thread and the one on the prospect board are just guys like me who've read stat lines and watched highlights. I'd love to know about his play away from the puck. Can anyone comment on that?
Using lack of size as an argument against a player just doesn’t cut it anymore. It’s lazy.
Lazy until you're battling for a puck in the corner with Chara...
Chara is the biggest player to ever play in the NHL so that's kind of a disingenuous argument to go right to the most extreme example. By that logic no small players can play in the NHL. As others have already pointed out to you, Barabanov may be small height wise but the guys a tank.Lazy until you're battling for a puck in the corner with Chara...
5'9 200lb pounds is an extremely powerful build for an NHL player. Assuming he's not fat, that's extremely brawny. Not small by any means. If he was a rangy D who needed a long stick to check forwards and defend it would be a disadvantage. But for a winger that just drops his shoulder and goes hard to the net, it's actually the perfect build (apart from a Dusting Penner style giant).Lazy until you're battling for a puck in the corner with Chara...
Eastern Conference with majority of the other Russian players.
Capitals Rangers
When was the last time an international free agent’s top two were *Toronto and Arizona*?
...how completely different can two markets be?
Lazy until you're battling for a puck in the corner with Chara...
I have to think he is playing in the A.I really worry about this guy's ability to compete physically at his size. Its going to be interesting to see what happens next season if he does indeed come to NA.