Barkov or Aho

[gabrielbeau]

Pts only

[PittsburghHustlers]

Barkov feels like the safer choice but I would go with Aho.

[Happy Hour]

Give me Barkov

[Wonko]

I would take Barkov.

[Dover]

Points only, it’s Aho for me

[rangerdanger]

Aho in most formats for me. Even multi cat depending on peripherals. Plus, Barkov gets injured too often for my taste. And we don't know what effect Borgstrom will have long term.

I think Aho is breaking out as a true star this year and likely key player for his team for many years to come. We have seen that he doesn't necessarily need top players on his line to score. With top players he's just that much more effective. I think Aho is going to be a top 30 player for most of his career.

[MZac]

I initially thought barkov when I saw this thread but I think it's too close to call in a points only league. I can see either of them out pointing the other in any given season and, barring injury, they should be quite close most years. Both are the best offensive player on their respective team and get top end deployment with no sign of that changing. Same tier for me. Not exactly helpful outside of dont overthink it, they are both great fantasy owns.

[rangerdanger]

I think its also important to remember, this is Aho producing without a developed Martin Necas and without a developed A. Svechnikov. What happens when those 2 kids finally grow up and become real deal NHL players? Barkov has done it with mostly vets at the top of their game like Hubs, who won't be improving from where he's at. So likely, we have seen the best or close to of what Barkov can or maybe will do. With Aho, I think it's the complete opposite. This is like his baseline playing with very good but not great players What happens when he eventually plays with GREAT players, assuming either one or both of Necas, Svechnikov develop as they should/could? That is going to be a scary offensive force if things work out.

Svech - Aho - Necas or Aho - Necas -Svech are very possibly their top line in the future. Just going off of their prospective potential, that is a scary future for the rest of the league. Add to that their very good other players like Tera, Staal, Ferland and Williams and they have the possibility of 4 Strong strong lines in like 2 or 3 seasons. Aho plugged anywhere in the top 6 should outproduce or at minimum equal Barkov.

[LeafsFan1967]

Aho in most formats for me. Even multi cat depending on peripherals. Plus, Barkov gets injured too often for my taste. And we don't know what effect Borgstrom will have long term.

I think Aho is breaking out as a true star this year and likely key player for his team for many years to come. We have seen that he doesn't necessarily need top players on his line to score. With top players he's just that much more effective. I think Aho is going to be a top 30 player for most of his career.

I’m kind of tired of the Barkov and injury prone label. He has been healthy last year and this year, and he’s only 23. And sure, Florida has more Vets like Hubes and Hoffman, but Barky and Trocheck will be the top 2 centres for Florida for the next 10 years. Borgtrom will slot in on the wing, and Huberdeau is 25 it’s not like he’s 30. I don’t think we’ve seen barkov’s best, he hasn’t been an elite pp producer to date, so I think a lot of people believe if he can be a 20+ pp point guy, he can hit 90 pts since he’s great even strength. Florida has good prospects coming up too, maybe not a 2 headed monster like Svechnikov/Necas, but someone could surprise/the way this year is going they may add a top 5 pick this year. Can’t just say Aho has this unlimited potential because he’s dragging his line along already. Last year, people were saying his upside was ppg, just because he’s over a ppg doesn’t mean I see him as a 90-100 guy. Just as I don’t expect Draisaitl to get 100. I’d say whether it’s Drais or Barkov or Keller or guys or that ilk, ppg is pretty reasonable, with upside for more but to say Aho is the best wouldn’t be true. I agree with Mzac on this one, either could outproduce the other in a given year, no clear winner

[FrozenInferno]

I’m kind of tired of the Barkov and injury prone label. He has been healthy last year and this year, and he’s only 23. And sure, Florida has more Vets like Hubes and Hoffman, but Barky and Trocheck will be the top 2 centres for Florida for the next 10 years. Borgtrom will slot in on the wing, and Huberdeau is 25 it’s not like he’s 30. I don’t think we’ve seen barkov’s best, he hasn’t been an elite pp producer to date, so I think a lot of people believe if he can be a 20+ pp point guy, he can hit 90 pts since he’s great even strength. Florida has good prospects coming up too, maybe not a 2 headed monster like Svechnikov/Necas, but someone could surprise/the way this year is going they may add a top 5 pick this year. Can’t just say Aho has this unlimited potential because he’s dragging his line along already. Last year, people were saying his upside was ppg, just because he’s over a ppg doesn’t mean I see him as a 90-100 guy. Just as I don’t expect Draisaitl to get 100. I’d say whether it’s Drais or Barkov or Keller or guys or that ilk, ppg is pretty reasonable, with upside for more but to say Aho is the best wouldn’t be true. I agree with Mzac on this one, either could outproduce the other in a given year, no clear winner

Everything this guy said. Barkov is a stud, and other than missing like three games last season he's been perfectly healthy. Just because a guy has bad injury luck very early in his career it doesn't mean he'll spend the next 15 years constantly injured.

That said, it's almost too close to call right now. They're both great young players and in a 1v1 production race they'll probably alternate winners most years. If I HAD to choose one I'd probably lean slightly to Aho only because Barkov is expected to carry a huge defensive load and that may reduce his focus on offense.

[LeafsFan1967]

Everything this guy said. Barkov is a stud, and other than missing like three games last season he's been perfectly healthy. Just because a guy has bad injury luck very early in his career it doesn't mean he'll spend the next 15 years constantly injured.

That said, it's almost too close to call right now. They're both great young players and in a 1v1 production race they'll probably alternate winners most years. If I HAD to choose one I'd probably lean slightly to Aho only because Barkov is expected to carry a huge defensive load and that may reduce his focus on offense.

Agree with what you said as well, I guess I agreed its too hard to tell, but then what you say about defensive load would maybe slightly take away from Barky's overall numbers, but he'll be fine still.

I'd say Hall is more injury prone, he shook that a bit at least last season, but now hurt again this season. Barky's injury issues were in first few seasons, I forgot to mention the 3 games missed last year, but 79 games is pretty close to a full season.

[rangerdanger]

I’m kind of tired of the Barkov and injury prone label. He has been healthy last year and this year, and he’s only 23. And sure, Florida has more Vets like Hubes and Hoffman, but Barky and Trocheck will be the top 2 centres for Florida for the next 10 years. Borgtrom will slot in on the wing, and Huberdeau is 25 it’s not like he’s 30. I don’t think we’ve seen barkov’s best, he hasn’t been an elite pp producer to date, so I think a lot of people believe if he can be a 20+ pp point guy, he can hit 90 pts since he’s great even strength. Florida has good prospects coming up too, maybe not a 2 headed monster like Svechnikov/Necas, but someone could surprise/the way this year is going they may add a top 5 pick this year. Can’t just say Aho has this unlimited potential because he’s dragging his line along already. Last year, people were saying his upside was ppg, just because he’s over a ppg doesn’t mean I see him as a 90-100 guy. Just as I don’t expect Draisaitl to get 100. I’d say whether it’s Drais or Barkov or Keller or guys or that ilk, ppg is pretty reasonable, with upside for more but to say Aho is the best wouldn’t be true. I agree with Mzac on this one, either could outproduce the other in a given year, no clear winner

Yes, this year and last year he was mostly healthy. He only missed 3 games last season. But every year prior, he has played 54, 71, 66, 61. That's not a great track record for a young player. I still say it's a real concern until he proves otherwise, meaning more than just 1 and a half seasons with minimal injury. I will give a pass on his first season as well, where he only played 54. I don't remember that season if he was injured or just that Florida didn't have him in the NHL all season.

Not only do I think Aho has PPG potential, with the right players he could surpass that and get 90-100. Yes he's that talented IMO and he's still very young as well. I expect him to continue to improve as well. I guess we will have to wait another 2 or 3 seasons to find out. But I just think Aho is the better choice long term. Barkov is a terrific player and he too can get a little better, I am just not sure it will be in scoring. I also prefer Aho's situation long term. I think Aho if nothing else will be the safer option. But I still give him the edge in creating his own offense where Barkov probably helps others a bit more. In those situations I would generally take the guy that can create his own offense more so, with lesser talented teammates. Especially if that team is developing other possible star players for Aho to eventually play with.