Through five games, newcomer Ivan Barbashev has seemingly fit right in. He’s connected well with star center Jack Eichel and fellow wing Jonathan Marchessault on Vegas’ new top line. So far, he’s a point-per-game player and the trio has been responsible for four goals in 15 periods.
The 27-year-old implied he’s learning on the fly and adding his blend of talent and toughness. A recipe that succeeds in the playoffs.
I’m trying to play simple. I’m playing with Jack and Marchy, so it’s real easy to play with them. I’m trying to make some plays for them and it’s working real well. It’s the way I play. Be more physical and mix it up with skill. -Ivan Barbashev
Overall, the trade with St. Louis has been highly graded by NHL coaches, GMs, and insiders.
I think he’s going to go down as one of the best acquisitions of the deadline by any team. He’s not going to be the biggest but I think he’s going to be one of the best. –Elliotte Friedman on 32 Thoughts Podcast
Vegas’ acquisition didn’t create the same amount of attention as the Jacob Chychrun or Timo Meier trade but it wasn’t overlooked. Hours after the deal was complete, Barbashev’s former coach Craig Berube fondly expressed his admiration for the forward’s growth and style of play. The Blues coach credited Barbashev and his linemates for providing identity during their successful 2019 Stanley Cup run.
Berube on Barbashev-Sundqvist-Steen line in Cup run: "They were a real identity line for us. They did a great job throughout the playoffs on the PK, checking and contributing offensively. There was always something good happening with them out there." #stlblues
— Jeremy Rutherford (@jprutherford) February 27, 2023
While no one can replace Mark Stone on or off the ice, Barbashev’s ability to fill the hole with Eichel and Marchessault is a promising sign for the postseason. The seven-season veteran worked his way up in St. Louis, and under a demanding coach. Berube expects a lot out of his players and it paid off for them in 2019. The grueling and rewarding experience of winning the Stanley Cup is another benefit the Golden Knights get with Barbeshev.
I think he’s the perfect fit for the identity of what the Vegas Golden Knights want to be. Just hard, a pain, skilled and can play a lot of different ways. I think he’s going to be a perfect fit. –Friedman on 32 Thoughts Podcast
Keep in mind, statesman Alex Pietrangelo won the 2019 Stanley Cup with Barbashev. You’d have to think #7 endorsed the move. That should add more confidence to an already confident Golden Knights locker room.
knights fan in minny
real good move
Jose
estoy de acuerdo con knights fan in minny en esto. aunque estoy de acuerdo, tengo que decir que creo que knights fan in minny es el chupapollas más grande que ha existido. Que se jodan él y su estúpida caravana en Minnesota. Pedazo de mierda.
THE hockey GOD
Ustedes es un chimichanga grande y gordo, y fea, con una boca que smella lika ten day old goat cheese (queso) left in garbage can in middle of augusto.
Richie-Rich
¡Relájense mis amigos! Le prestas demasiada atención al aficionado de Minnesota.
Richard Evans
Great move, along with Quick. Two seasoned veterans who know how to win Stanley Cups.
Plus I love seeing so many clubs in single digits in the Points to Elimination List!
A Fan
As I mentioned in older posts, while most were on the Tito and other bandwagons, I said Ivan would be the best pick up for a few reasons. He may not keep these numbers up of course, but his style/play was needed badly on this team. I’m sure glad we have him.
Sorvino
Who the fuck is Tito?
Tito who?
Tito Santana
Tito Ortiz
Tito Puente
Tito Jackson
THE hockey GOD
@ Sorvino
i think he’s referring to Tito and the Man, that old TV show. Or maybe it was Chico and the Man. I remember Chico was Julio’s goat, Julio lived next to Sanford and Son junk yard. Sanford was played by comedican Redd Foxx.
Sorvino
Thank you for the clarification
Sorvino
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zgfAyl6NxeA
Trying to piece together how this fits in with the VGK
THE hockey GOD
Julio Tito Fuentes
the famous Tijuana bull fighter
Gary J Potter
Some welcome good news amid all the angst and worry about injuries.
Pistol Pete
There may be an inclination to look at last season’s 26 G/34 A as a career year and outlier. I get that as far as how this season came back down to earth and the seasons before last year were way less. I prefer to hope in a new and different environment suited to him that he’ll produce at a pace more in line with last season which has happened these first five games with the VGK. To guess, he always got more offensive production in the top six spending more than half his time on the bottom six. Here he’s on the top line so naturally he’ll get more points. In any case very encouraging and I like what he brings, like it a lot so far.
Pistol Pete
He set up the play Marchy to Eichel that was nearly a goal nearing the end of the 6 on 5 vs. Florida.
THE hockey GOD
well nothing like two clown “writers’ jinxing up the joint.
wait for it.
knights fan in minny
hill is dtd now what the hell is going on
Sorvino
Hill has been so good. Perhaps all three of Hill, Brossoit and Thompson are not clear-cut number one goalies as it seems like they can’t handle the workload and stay healthy.
THE hockey GOD
hill has been working through his injury for
last few weeks
knights fan in minny
time for quick to show his stuff
Jose
La estructura defensiva generalmente apretada de los Golden Knights ha vacilado en los últimos dos juegos de Hill, ya que enfrentó 92 tiros en ese lapso. Pudo superar la gran carga de trabajo del 3 de marzo contra los Devils, pero esta vez no tuvo el apoyo de la portería. Hill cayó a 16-7-1 con un GAA de 2.50 y un porcentaje de salvamento de .916 en 27 salidas. Todavía fue una buena actuación para el joven de 26 años, por lo que no debería quitarle demasiados puntos en su competencia por tiempo de juego con Jonathan Quick. El viaje por carretera de los Golden Knights continúa el jueves contra los Lightning.
Richie-Rich
Tampa has been in a bit of a turmoil of late with Jon Cooper benching a few of its star players. They didn’t react well to that. They are a seasoned bunch and the VGK is going to have its hands full in this tilt.
I had predicted 6 points on this road trip (FLA, STL & PHI). Well, they failed to get that first 2 points. They could get back on track with a win against either TBL or PHI.
TS
NHL.com placed the VGK 5TH of 16 in rankings. They specifically credited the addition/play of Barbashev as a major factor in our high ranking. And this, after our Florida loss…not too bad, considering a letdown or two. We’re definitely in it to win it, at this late stage of the season!!