Barbashev projected to continue good run with Golden Knights
Rachel Doerrie's predictive learning model, KEVIN, has Barbashev setting a new career high in points.
Rachel Doerrie's deep-learning AI model, KEVIN, projects Ivan Barbashev to have another good year with the Vegas Golden Knights, scoring a new career-high 65 points.
It would be a new career-high for the forward, who scored 60 points in the 2021-22 season.
Barbashev scored 45 points last season with 16 points coming with the Vegas Golden Knights in 23 games. He was traded to the Golden Knights from the St. Louis Blues on Feb. 27.
He was also a force in the playoffs, scoring 18 points in the Golden Knights' 22 playoff games.
His strong play contributed to the Golden Knights choosing to re-sign him over keeping Reilly Smith, who was traded to Pittsburgh in the offseason.
"It's going to be fun playing a fulls season in Vegas," Barbashev said. "I'm just looking forward to it. I'm expecting a lot of things and hopefully we go and take a run at another Cup."
Even without KEVIN's projection, Barbashev was expected to have a big year for the Golden Knights.
He plays alongside Jack Eichel and Jonathan Marchessault on the first line where he fills a specific role of the net-front presence. He also cleans up rebounds and adds a physical force on that line.
"I try and get better every single game and every single practice too," Barbashev said. "I got 'Marchy' and Jack so far on the line. They've been helping me out and making me better as a player."
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