Maxim Barbashev can score, create turnovers, and give a big effort shift-in and shift-out. He plays with a physical edge and throws his weight around, making him very effective with and without the puck. He will attack out of any situation and likes to take the puck to the net. He’s really dangerous when controlling the puck in the offensive zone as he displays smooth and quick edges to protect the puck and navigate towards the blue paint. He leans on defenders and drives through them with his strong hips to create turnovers and gain space, but it’s his net-front presence and ability to set up just outside the crease that is so continuously productive for him. He is a high-end mid-range shooter with a quick release and accuracy that makes him dangerous on anything from about five to 15 feet out. He can anticipate the play, close in on intended targets, and is often the first man in on the forecheck. He angles the puck-carrier, limits their options and runs them out of space or forces them into hurrying their play. He isn’t the fastest skater off the rush but over shorter distances he’s quick and explosive. He provides puck support in his own end, picks up pucks off the boards, and makes clean zone exit passes. He displays effort in checking and on defense in general, but general awareness needs to improve. He can play a bit of a possession game but often prefers to quickly move it and go for a return pass in open ice. The quick and elusive puck movement suits him well since he is particularly good at scanning the ice and reading open teammates and options. While his passing game is good, it’s as a trigger man that his future lies. He has eventual top-six potential as a power forward.

– FCHockey’s 2022 NHL Draft Guide