Top European prospect Barkov looking to become known commodity in NHL

[HF Article]

 

For most North American hockey fans, the top prospects in this year's NHL Draft, Halifax Mooseheads forwards Nathan MacKinnon and Jonathan Drouin, and Portland Winterhawks defenseman Seth Jones, are well known commodities.



But the top European prospect according to Central Scouting's final rankings, Finnish forward Aleksander Barkov, is not as familiar to fans, yet scouts are well aware of his potential.

For the past two seasons, Barkov has played in Finland's top pro league, the SM-Liiga, and this past season he was the second-leading scorer for Tappara Tampere behind former NHL forward Ville Nieminen.

Hockey's Future caught up with Barkov at the prospect media event on Friday in Weehawken, NJ.… read more



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[Leftside]

Has a Finnish player ever been drafted this early?
If so, who? I mean, Selänne was drafted 10 overall, Saku Koivu 21 overall and Mikko Koivu as number six.

 

[Finnpin]

Has a Finnish player ever been drafted this early?
If so, who? I mean, Selänne was drafted 10 overall, Saku Koivu 21 overall and Mikko Koivu as number six.

Kari Lehtonen was also 2nd overall in 2002.

 

[Jussi]

Kari Lehtonen was also 2nd overall in 2002.

The legendary Aki Berg was 3rd overall.

 

[FiLe]

Olli Jokinen was 3rd overall. Joni Pitkänen was 4th overall.


Barkov, Lehtonen, Jokinen and Berg are the Finnish players that have gone in the top three.