C Mathew Barzal - Seattle Thunderbirds, WHL (2015, 16th, NYI) II

[Riseonfire]

Barzal will be skating in replacement of John Tavares tonight on the top line between Anders Lee and Ryan Strome.

Should be a good look tonight. The game is on NHL network at 5pm for anyone that wants to get a look.

 

[PWJunior]

Barzal will be skating in replacement of John Tavares tonight on the top line between Anders Lee and Ryan Strome.

Should be a good look tonight. The game is on NHL network at 5pm for anyone that wants to get a look.

The Isles are resting Tavares and to avoid some senseless injury to the Franchise in the last preseason game, but it's an amazing opportunity for Barzal as the #1C. He's really been impressive in the TC.

 

[SI90]

Probably a reward for such an impressive camp. Maybe they send him back to Seattle after this game?

 

[Zaddy]

Barzal will be skating in replacement of John Tavares tonight on the top line between Anders Lee and Ryan Strome.

Should be a good look tonight. The game is on NHL network at 5pm for anyone that wants to get a look.

Nice. I was actually thinking about watching the game and this just sealed it. Excited to see Barzal for the first time this season, and in a prominent role at that.

 

[Skinnyjimmy08]

Probably a reward for such an impressive camp. Maybe they send him back to Seattle after this game?

I wouldn't be surprised if this happens... final preseason game and then things get serious in Isles land... plus everyone is anticipating a huge junior season by him this year and WHL is already underway. He has already missed a couple junior games and will miss more at WJC so I think the sooner the better to send him back.

If he actually had a legitimate chance of sticking in NYI, I can see them keeping him longer, but he will be returned this year so as far as I am concerned, they should send him back after this game.

Seattle is a preseason favorite to challenge to be the top team in WHL so this is a real good situation for Barzal to be returning to

.....having said that, Barzal is a big game player and thrives in these situations and im sure he knows the odds are against him to make the team, but if he has a HUGE game tonight, it may make things extremely confusing for Isles management and they may be forced to kinda re think things

 

[SI90]

Through 2 periods he looks great. Checking and playing good in his own zone. Very impressive stick handling and skating. Also very calm under pressure.

 

[Yashin for President]

First time watching him, kid is the real deal. Really reminds me of Tyler Johnson, thought he would be more of a Jordan Eberle. So slick although his size will definitely make him get sent back to the Dub. He is a lot smaller than I thought. Excited that he is in our system. Team Canada WJC will be a very solid team.

 

[Skinnyjimmy08]

playing a real solid game today but I have a feeling he will be sent back after this game... isles fans must be ridiculously excited

 

[PWJunior]

playing a real solid game today but I have a feeling he will be sent back after this game... isles fans must be ridiculously excited

He's a kid, still needs to grow up and get bigger/stronger. The skill, skating, and hockey intelligence is very obvious. Actually surprised with his compete against the big boys, no hesitation in his game. The Isles are a very patient organization, he can tear up the WHL and play for Team Canada this year.

With Nielsen's possible departure, there could be a center spot open next year for him to compete for... assuming Strome or Nelson don't claim it first. No rush with this kid though.

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

Can't believe we took Zacha over Barzal . . .

 

[Sykie]

Can't believe we took Zacha over Barzal . . .

Give it a bit of time, you never know how these things can finish. Draft was only a couple of months ago.

 

[SI90]

Barzal has been returned to Seattle. Let's hope he has a huge but more importantly healthy year.

 

[VictoriaJetsFan]

Jets fan here who sees alot of the WHL living in Victoria. Your trade to get Barzal was brilliant. You fleeced the Oilers.

I love what your team is doing, you guys are seriously ready to break out as an elite team for a long time.

Maybe the Jets will meet you in the finals one day...but that scares me...I don't think we could win..

 

[SI90]

Jets fan here who sees alot of the WHL living in Victoria. Your trade to get Barzal was brilliant. You fleeced the Oilers.

I love what your team is doing, you guys are seriously ready to break out as an elite team for a long time.

Maybe the Jets will meet you in the finals one day...but that scares me...I don't think we could win..

Thanks for the confidence but I really don't the the isles "fleeced" Edmonton. I think both teams will end up happy. It's been discussed a lot.

 

[VictoriaJetsFan]

I think barzal will be many times better than Reinhart....haven't kept up on your debates on that...best of luck in the new season.

 

[Darth Milbury]

Can't believe we took Zacha over Barzal . . .

Sounds like NJ had nothing but good options there. No worries.

 

[SanDogBrewin]

Barzal had an intense interview with Sweeney. And considering they passed on him 3 times, Barzal said some things in the interview that Sweeney didn't like.

http://www.csnne.com/boston-bruins/barzal-enjoys-intense-interview-bruins-staff

Or the scouts and GM felt the other players fit what they wanted.

Going off the board against so-called experts is not a new thing.

Barzal looked good during the pre-season games I viewed.

Didn't make me regret any pick though.

 

[Darth Milbury]

That interview all so much as hint of a problem in the interview. In fact, it notes that barzal could go sixth and that it would be a stroke of luck if he fell to the Bruins at 14

 

[The Winter Soldier]

I had Mathew Barzal rated #5 in this summer's draft. He is one of the best value picks in the draft IMO.

8 points in 4 games this year early on. I think you guys are going to see great things from him this year if he can stay healthy. Seattle should be a better team this year also.

Barzal could be an Islander's cornerstone soon. A very good player. A true Center also never hurts. Depth down the middle.

 

[Skinnyjimmy08]

He was real sick in his first couple games back to Seattle but still played well and put up a couple points. In his last 2 games though he has been completely dominating since he's 100% now.

He is playing on a line with Ryan Gropp(NYR 2nd) and Keegan Kolesar(CBJ 3rd) and the line has clicked and is dominating.

Gonna be a huge year individually for Barzal and also a huge year for Seattle Thunderbirds. They have a real good team

 

[SanDogBrewin]

I'm no pro scout but I follow and watch my fair share of junior hockey and I can't for the life of me explain why the Bruins passed on Barzal and/or Connor?

I don't get it.

Another interesting thing is how BOS's 3 consecutive picks factored into a number of things. If Barzal is off the board, the isles don't move Reinhart to EDM for the 16th overall pick.

Although I like Barzal, nothing I saw at camp nor how DeBrusk or Senyshyn have started there seasons in the WHL or OHL have made me regret decisions on the pick(s).

 

[prongertheman9]

Although I like Barzal, nothing I saw at camp nor how DeBrusk or Senyshyn have started there seasons in the WHL or OHL have made me regret decisions on the pick(s).

I have a feeling that your opinion will change come the World Juniors.

 

[boredmale]

I have a feeling that your opinion will change come the World Juniors.

If one of Barzal or Kyle Connor end up a legit NHL star, I don't think hindsight will view what the Bruins did in a positive light. Now if one of the 2 guys the Bruins take ends up better then both Barzal or Connor then the Bruins look great

 

[covfefe]

Although I like Barzal, nothing I saw at camp nor how DeBrusk or Senyshyn have started there seasons in the WHL or OHL have made me regret decisions on the pick(s).

I trust that you watched the Bruins camp and while I have no knowledge of what transpired there, I also have full confidence that there is no chance you've watched enough of a) Swift Current; b) Sault Ste Marie; and c) Seattle to qualify the second part of your post. Stat watching does ≠ scouting

 

[Felix Unger]

It's crazy that NYI entered that draft with 0 1st rounders, and ended up with 2 prospects who wowed everyone in camp and are playing extremely well in juniors (Barzal, Beauvillier).

One thing you have to say about Garth Snow - he's not afraid of admitting his mistakes.