I know you didn't ask me, but in my opinion Barkov is in a tier above any other, only due to the mature defensive game he showed as a 16-year old leading a pro league team from the third line while used in a heavy defensive role. Actually despite the position, he had 0.5PPG pace that year. The next season his age adjusted offensive production was second to only Peter Forsberg as far as nordic prospects are concerned. Laine is actually behind Barkov's PPG despite being a couple months older than Barkov at the time. And there isn't really a discussion about the defense.
So how about projection for Laine's development. Barkov was as physically ready for the pro Game as possible. Hell he outworked prime Mikko Koivu in board battles and was the best two-way Center in a League where lock-out players came to stay fit. Laine is more raw, we could expect Laine to become a similar physical presence as Barkov is now eventually in his prime. This makes Laine harder to project, it's like his floor and ceiling get farther apart than in Barkov's case.
How about their projected numbers. Barkov projected ceiling was a 90 point Selke level center, it seems that ceiling won't realize and he will more likely become a 70point Selke level center not bad but not worth all time top-100 list there once was a chance of happening. I see Laine's ceiling there, but his floor is probably a second line winger. Most likely he also ends up somewhere in between, but I see his total value lesser than Barkov's was mostly due to Barkov's generational defense, a level I don't believe Laine ever being able to get to.
