Why Aleksander Barkov is the Best 2-Way Forward in Hockey  

Really good clip to showcase what Barkov is all about. Also he has mental ability, focus and composure that helps every aspect of the game. And everybody in the team respects him.

Barkov is more than just a good player, he is a captain and a team maker.

Everyone was shocked when Barkov was chosen 2nd overall in 2013 after MacKinnon went 1st. Everyone expected Seth Jones 2nd and Drouin 3rd, but Dale Tallon comes out of nowhere and chooses Barkov 2nd and everyone thought he was nutso. Well, it turns out Tallon was probably the smartest man. Barkov has turned out to be one of the best if not the best player in the NHL because it's not all about goals and point totals but the intangibles and that's what Selke players do.

MCDAVID AND DRAI VS BARKOV THE NHL MARKETING DEPARTMENT IN SHAMBLES WITH THE RESULTS. BARKOV IS THE BEST PLAYER IN THE WORLD.

Yup. He is just about my favorite human right now :D Seems to be one of the few top players who knows how to concentrate on the game and forget all BS. Personal integrity; great role model for all young men, on or off the ice. Massive respect! Can't wait to see him in the blue-and-white of the national team...We The People of Suomi-Finland demand the Olympic gold - nothing else will do :D

Looks solid. That’s our captain baby. One more to have him immortalized

McDavid and Draisaitl combined goal total of 0. Barkov has eaten both of them alive.

That's a good breakdown. You are right not many would ever see things like this.

Good video McDavid or Kucherov for example are usually thinking only offence and do not really support defence and block shots and Barkov never stops working. He does everything he has to for the win and also mentors his teammates. And look at that dudes stick. He is so skilled with his stick defensively. Blocks passes and steals the puck so well.

Barkov's game is the result of having always truly put his team first.

Datsyuk with size.

Thanks for the vid! Finally someone really digging in to Barky's greatness, which doesn't always show up on the stat-sheet. His ability to seamlessly turn his momentum form offence to defence is what really sets him apart. His imprint is all over the rink. Breakaways are far and apart against the Panthers, and when he is on the ice, they usually just don't happen. Or 2-to-1s and 3-to-2s. He certainly has the skills to be a 100+ pts/season scorer, but he never, ever "cheats" on the expence of good d. And the whole team truly has bought into that.

Barkov is the best all around player in the game. As Defense and Offense are both elite. To say he is the best overall even though he has masterfully shut down McDavid and company… yeah I can’t say in any regard that he is the best overall. McDavids speed, skill and ludicrous production still put him as the best player in the game. Barkov hasn’t gotten the credit he deserves until very recently. Great to see a spotlight shone on a player who would be more popular and recognized if he played in a bigger market. Barkov is an absolute stud and glad to see more are recognizing his greatness

A player that can shut down the best is better than them. He's surely the most complete player, and an exemplary leader. My 2 watts.

He's the best two way player in the league . Kind of a Finish Bob Gainey . Gainey was noted as the best hockey player in the league back then . The same could be said for Barkov.

As a NJ Devil fan, I'm hoping Hischier becomes the next Barkov.

He's still underated, even with the borderlinbe unanimous Selke, it's just the amount good things that come their way because of decision and actions that he does is just borderline magic. He's not as flashy as some, but modern play is so much more about the aspects of his play mentioned in this video!

Dude is the definition of a leader

Thanks, awesome video! Great showcase about good skating and keeping the momentum for him but also the whole team. Outstanding playing. :-)

THANK you for the video. These are the things we don't see because Hockey is so fast. Helps us understand why Panthers are up 3-1 against a great team... Edmonton

He is an ultimate team player. And such a nice human being. I wonder what would happen if he ever loses his mind on ice...

Barkov + Bobrovsky > McDavid + Draisaitl, both in the playoffs and cap hit. Also, you look at Tkachuk's cap and ability vs. Nurse's, there's a clear difference in team build.

Could you make a new video about Barkov showing clips from the finals where he shuts down key players of Edmonton and makes other incredible plays? Great video btw!

This is a tough call, Barki or Bob. What a fantastic delema to have. Sweeeeep...... Go Cats!

Imagine line-up with Barkov as center, McDavid and MacKinnon on wings without the need to defend, Josi and Fox on defense and Shesterkin at goal.

Conn Smythe

Notice how Mc highstick was captain pretty much immediately, you usually have to earn that

Great vid, bro!

I appreciate your enthusiasm for detailed breakdown of Barkov, but those little black dots look like i have something on my screen!

now that Toews is retired, Barkov is the "Captain Serious"

Barkov, Bennett, Okposo play really good defense. Plus Forsling?? Against a team with no depth scoring?? Easy pickings

Good analysis thanks. Verhaeghe is 23 not 22 btw

McWho ? Yes he is the best hockey player. Florida is the epicenter of the hockey world. Want to play in the NHL finals ? You have to come to Florida. Every year. And if you play here you will save between a million and a half mill in taxes . If Barky played in the northeast US everyone in the world would know he's the best player. About time he got his ring.

He manages to do the intangibles and still produces plenty of offensive. I’ve been saying he’s the best overall player. He won’t get his flowers as long as he deserves because of other older players in bigger markets but he’s at least getting recognition. I never played organized hockey but everything I’ve learned and became decent at the video game by emulating what I’ve seen from Barkov over the last 10 years. I’m almost always the most defensive forward and I still score a lot. Maybe not as much as these losers that just sit in the neutral zone waiting for a breakaway and causing my team to be down a man when defending which is like a pk. Some of these guys are really good at scoring but the chances come so far and few because instead of helping the team and making a play to where we could break out the other way they just want us to give them the puck, then they get 7 breakaways and score 2. If I have 7 breakaways which I haven’t because I don’t put my team in that position, I think I’d get 4/7. But I usually end up 2 or 3 for 4 or 5 chances. Meanwhile I get my guys open for a few a game too. Yeah it’s a game but decisions definitely take part in the success. Arrogantly I like to say if I had a team of guys exactly like me I think it would be one of the best teams but most of the guys I seem to play with are noobs and just don’t see the same things I guess.

He's also the reason why the rangers are watching from home.

barky is the goat

First highlight Kaako makes a poor decision board chip around the defender sends the rangers in on a two on one rather than forces a pass into the middle

Now someone teach the Fin stone speaking and hes the 9th world miracle

McDiver and crysaitl are the two most protected players in league history now getting exposed for hiw useless they are when the games count

Florida is just stacked with cheap contracts (which is ending this year) and a goalie putting up a .980 in the finals. Barkov is good, but there’s other factors here.

McDavid has already been chosen for the Conn Smythe. 😂 The entire Florida team can’t stop him… 😂

Yeah and he does not think he can turn water into wine like McJesus …..good luck to the Grease Stain trying to win 4 in a row against this man and his team

He doesn't seem to be fast but actually some of samples he was nearly lowest player on own end and few seconds later going past defencemen on the other end.

Barkov deserves the conn smythe. bob is such a normie pick

🎉🎉🎉 Best player…. 😂😂😂😂 So funny….

Bad title but sure

There's a lot more to being successful in the playoffs than on ice skill. McDavid and Drai have a loser mentality and tilt extremely easy. McDavid has never comeback from an 0-2 series deficit. Then of course everyone knows Matthews and the Leafs have no heart. You gotta really have your head straight to make it through the guantlet. That's exactly what makes Barkov so dangerous on top of his technical skill.

Now do Kuch. Best hockey is happening down in Florida.

Not the best, one of the top players on a very good team.

He's a good player sure but the best? Not even close. McD over him x100. He did squat in tonight's game.

the best defensive forward*

Why Aleksander Barkov is the best player in Hockey when Bobrovsky in the net

barkov is better than crosby.

If number 24 of New York Rangers would have been just a little bit smarter and made the pass not directly but of the left board it could have been 2 on 1 with Barkov being left well behind. Not very smart play to be honest. Definitely not the play I would be showing anyone as an example of his greatness... He just got lucky here NY player didn't think quick enough but it's not because Barkovs play made him to do that.

I disagree.. I think he's a good forward.. But if you think he's the best forward when McDavid, McKinnon, Kane, and Bedard exists, then you must be a Panthers fan lol. I might put him in top 20.. maybe.. if that. His teammate Carter Verhaeghe is better. Both regular season and playoffs.

Being the best hockey player in the world, isn't only about scoring goals, it's about playing a 200 foot game, sorry McDavid, but you're not a 200 foot player, Crosby is closer to that than you.

Hes great. But best. No.

Best foward? Lol. Great player but come on.

Best player, maybe, most important no. Goalies are more important by a lot.

Delusional ah

Barkov is a great player, but isnt the best in hockey. I think mcdavid is better but the teams they play for are vastly different and this changes how we view them. FLA is made for the playoffs, and the team plays well around barkov, the Edmonton team structure reminds me of a team like the leafs. Great high end talent, average goaltending and an ok defense. If you go up against FLA with that mix your going to get ripped up. Though to note i think Barkov is better defensively than McDavid. Overall talent goes to MCD, which isnt a slight against barkov, hes still one of the best.

I have Kucherov as the best then Barkov

You’ve got to be joking

He slashes hands lol

haha. and hes won Hart and Lindsey multiple times like McDavid.... McDavid kicks his ass and it aisnt even close

Barkov is very good, but give your head a shake. You don't know shiet about hockey.

Austin Mathews is so much better. Probably Marner too.

His plus/minus is way too bad to be the best player...

Conn Smythe