Penguins Draft Profiles: Colby Barlow
The Pittsburgh Penguins should take a long look into 2023 NHL Draft prospect Colby Barlow with their 14th overall pick.
As the 2023 NHL Draft draws nearer, the Pittsburgh Penguins will have a difficult decision to make should they keep their first round pick. The 2023 draft class is loaded with extremely talented and high-upside potential players, and many believe this will be one of the better classes in recent memory.
With the 14th pick, the Penguins will have the chance to add a new number one prospect, but who are they targeting? Inside the Penguins is breaking down all of the candidates, starting with a forward from the OHL, Colby Barlow.
Essentials
2022-23 Team: Owen Sound, OHL
Position: Winger
Height and Weight: 6’1, 187 pounds
NHL Central Scouting Rank: 10 (amongst North American skaters)
Elite Prospects Rank: 16 (March, 2023)
Shoots: Left
2022-23 Stats: 59 GP, 46 G, 33 A, 79 P
Captain of team during ‘22-23 season
Player Breakdown
Barlow’s skill is overlooked due to the elite talent at the top of the draft board, and it’s a shame. Barlow’s game is solid, translates to the NHL, and projects to be a 25-30 goal scorer.
The best traits to his game are his league-ready shot and size. He’s over six feet tall and nearly 200 pounds, so you aren’t waiting long for him to physically develop into a regular NHL’er. His offensive game is right there as well. Take a look at some of his highlights here:
His shot is a thing of beauty. The release is quick on his wrist shot, but he can wind up for a slap shot with power, especially on the power play. Barlow loves to shoot the puck and works hard to put himself in prime scoring positions. He will also often reposition his stick at the last second to adjust his shooting angle, which throws off goaltenders and defenders.
His playmaking is solid, while being second fiddle to his shooting. But don’t let that fool you, Barlow possesses a well-rounded game in the offensive zone. He’s shown an ability to be the number one option for a team with his junior team, and he’s looked quite comfortable being the engine of the offense.
Another aspect of his game that will be overlooked is his leadership. He served as captain of his junior team this past season, and has been a leader on the Canadian junior team as well. As he will most likely return to his junior team for this upcoming season, expect to see a second straight season of Barlow wearing the “C” for Owen Sound.
What Needs To Improve
What will need the most improvement is his ability to be a 200-foot player. His work ethic will help immensely, as he already shows a similar intensity in the offensive and defensive zone. He needs to work on his defensive positioning and awareness, as he has a tendency to float towards the puck rather than maintaining his position in the defensive zone. It doesn’t stand out as an issue that can't be fixed, but he’ll need to improve it to be trusted fully at the NHL level.
NHL Player Comparison: Kyle Connor (WPG)
NHL ETA: 2025-26
With one or two more seasons of development, Barlow could be ready for NHL action. His size is there, his offensive toolbox and intelligence are professional level yet still improving, and he displays a sky-high level of determination on the ice. He’s a player that won’t take long to make the jump to the big leagues, but whether he can make an impact in the time Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin are still playing at a high level is unclear.
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