DENVER BARKEY

2025-06-09

Scout: James Iacovone

Skating:

Shifty, very agile; great acceleration, solid edgework

Passing/Handling:

Creative playmaker with tight puck skills, high motor guy.

Shooting:

Effective shot for a smaller player; excels in finding scoring lanes.

IQ (Vision, Anticipation, Panic/Poise):

High hockey sense, excels in zone-entries and creating space .

Forechecking:

Energetic and persistent. Can be very disruptive at both ends of the ice.

Defense:

Competes in open ice, but needs to add strength for battles along the boards.

Best Asset:

Great speed combined with creative flair and relentless effort.

Biggest Concern:

Needs to add significant size.

Top Tier/Role Potential:

Tier 3 (by default)/ Third line winger at absolute best.

Justification for Top Tier Assessment:

Not convinced will be an effective NHL player

50th Percentile Tier/Role:

Justification for 50th Percentile Tier Assessment:

n/a

Stylistic Comparable:

Conor Garland

2024-02-04

Scout: James Iacovone

Right Wing

Philadelphia Flyers

95 Overall by the Philadelphia Flyers (2023 NHL Entry Draft)

Skating:

Above average to good skater. Has powerful striders for smaller guy. Feet are always moving and can create space for passes with his skating.

Passing/Handling:

Passes puck with conviction and intent. Creative player who is always looking for offense.

Shooting:

Scored in close off a rebound in this game. Can play around goal, always threatening to shoot. Shot is above average.

IQ (Vision, Anticipation, Panic/Poise):

Smart player who is always looking for offense. Processes the ice well and anticipates play.

Forechecking:

n/a

Defense:

Seen directing traffic on defense in this game and even won a couple 1v1 battles against bigger players.

Best Asset:

Barkey's best asset is his tenacity. He has a motor that never turns off and he does not back down.

Biggest Concern:

Obviously the biggest concern is his size. He is listed ay 5'9 154.

Top Tier/Role Potential:

I have Barkey projected as a bottom six NHLer who can top out at 35-40pts.

Justification for Top Tier Assessment:

N/A

50th Percentile Tier/Role:

Justification for 50th Percentile Tier Assessment:

n/a

Stylistic Comparable:

Denver Barkey appears to be a Travis Konecny Lite.

Scouts Final Thoughts and Additional Stats/Info:

Barkey currently leads the OHL with 7 shorthanded goals and has eclipsed his season totals from last season with 26g, 44a, 70pts in 44 games compared to 22g, 37a, 59pts in 61 games in 2022-23.

Games Scouted:

London Knights vs Kitchener Rangers 1/30/24

2023-12-28

Scout: Craig Wise

Skating:

Above average, has great wheels can burn defenders wide and very shifty throwing them for a ride. However easily knocked down, if he is going to succeed at higher levels Denver will need to work on his balance and sturdiness.

Passing/Handling:

Above average passer, he is the playmaker to Cowans goalscoring on the PP and the few times they play together at even strength. He has the ability to thread the needle in tight spaces but also can wire it cross ice for teammates to one time.

Shooting:

Average, nothing flashy but does have a quick release. With time, more muscle and weight behind it he could up his goal totals. He isn't shy to shoot from anywhere in the opposing end, I'd like to see this continue at the next level to confirm he will have some good perf value.

IQ (Vision, Anticipation, Panic/Poise):

Average, I say average because at times he has great vision and looks like he slows the game down. But other times he rushes passes and has some awful turnovers.

Forechecking:

For such a small guy he sure is tenacious, Denver isn't afraid to throw the body around despite being noticeably one of the smaller guys on the ice.

Defense:

Below average, does not block shots when defenders were shooting he does a little stick poke to visibly not have to get in front of the puck. Also throws little weak stick checks as offenders are passing by that don't do anything and puts him out of position. He does play on the PK, but this isn't for his defense more so his speed and creating shorthanded offense.

Best Asset:

Denver's playmaking is his best asset, he could be a lethal powerplay specialist or a goal scorers best friend.

Biggest Concern:

His size and defense, if he cant clean the defense up the offense he brings to the table wont matter. Size will always be an issue with him, but can overcome it with better all around play.

Top Tier/Role Potential:

Tier 2, 60-70 points with moderate perfs.

Justification for Top Tier Assessment:

He could easily play in a top 6 role and rack up the points in addition to some great shot and average hit perfs.

50th Percentile Tier/Role:

Top AHL player that gets chances in the NHL but stuck in a 4th line with little minutes, like a Matthew Phillips.

Justification for 50th Percentile Tier Assessment:

If he cant clean up his defense his coach wont trust him with big minutes and push him down the lineup.

Stylistic Comparable:

Mattias Macceli's playmaking and size, but a more aggressive version that will throw hits and take more shots.

Scouts Final Thoughts and Additional Stats/Info:

Barkey is a great hold and see, high reward type player that we should know more next year when he hits the AHL.