Moncton's Ivan Barbashev is the top rated QMJHL prospect for the 2014 NHL Draft (Photo c/o Rogers Sportsnet)
The year 2013 was a banner year for the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The Halifax Mooseheads won the Memorial Cup cementing themselves as one of the greatest junior hockey teams ever assembled. Halifax’s Nathan MacKinnon and Jonathan Drouin were selected number one and number three overall by the Colorado Avalanche and Tampa Bay Lightning respectively. Finally, 31 players were drafted from the league, the most since 2005, when the NHL cut the length from nine to seven rounds.
Thirty-eight players were selected in 2003 over nine rounds, including Cape Breton Screaming Eagles goalie Marc-Andre Fleury, who was the number one overall pick of the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The prospect pool for the 2014 draft in Philadelphia is certainly not as prolific and star-studded as it was in New Jersey, although there is one player who is garnering attention.
Moscow native Ivan Barbashev of the Moncton Wildcats was NHL Central Scouting’s only “A” rated prospect on its preliminary watch list. Barbashev is currently Central Scouting’s 12th best North American skater for its midterm rankings. ISS Hockey lists the 6’1, 185 pound C/LW as their 19th best prospect for their February rankings. TSN’s Bob McKenzie has Barbashev as his 13th best prospect in his mid-season rankings.
Unlike many Russians, Barbashev competes hard. He’s leader on the ice and rarely takes a shift off. Teams could be scared off because he’s Russian, but he’s adjusted to the North American quite well.
He started off as winger last season then switched to center. He shows good hockey sense and I’m impressed with Barbashev’s defensive zone coverage. There is nothing he won't or can’t do to help his team win. He’s versatile, skilled and competitive, and can play in many spots throughout Moncton’s line-up.
Here is video montage of Barbashev’s skill-set.
The Wildcats made him the first overall selection in the 2012 CHL Import Draft and he’s lived up to expectations thus far. Barbashev had 18 goals for 62 points in 68 games played last season, which was his first in the QMJHL. Barbashev currently has 23 goals and 40 assists for 63 points in 43 games played. He should have no problem hitting the 80 point plateau this season. He did have one goal and one assist for Russia at the 2013 World Juniors in Malmo.
He has a good, hard shot and his speed is world class. Barbashev can play a physical game due to his size. I think Barbashev is going to fill out and develop into a good player overall. He won’t play the physical style in the NHL night in and night out, but he’s capable.
So where could he end up?
Russians are always tough to project. It helps that he’s already playing in North America and has the exposure of scouts. As I said before, he’s not your typical Russian forward who is all skill and flare. Barbashev plays the North American style of hockey. He definitely projects as an NHL player who should be at worst case a second-third liner.
Right now, I have him going somewhere in that 11-16 range. It’s too early to pinpoint exactly which team will select him since we don’t know the draft order. However, the Anaheim Ducks and Detroit Red Wings are two teams I could see selecting the Russian playmaker.
The Red Wings love Russians and they need to start thinking about grooming a player to replace Pavel Datsyuk. Datsyuk is only getting older and while his play is still world class, it’s always a good idea to plan for the future. I can’t think of a better Russian player to groom Barbashev than Datsyuk.
The Ducks have Ottawa’s first round pick courtesy of the Bobby Ryan trade. Anaheim can afford to select a player like Barbashev due to their tremendous organizational depth. They can let him sit for 3-4 years and see him develop. The Flyers will be around the 11-17 range as well, but any Flyers fan will tell you they refuse to draft Russians early. He would certainly help the Flyers depth, but it’s not going to happen.
I'm normally skeptical on Russian players, but Barbashev is different. He’s got a certain poise and style to his game that I like. If he can put it all together, Barbashev could end up being one of the most dynamic players selected in this draft.
