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

[Tube Skates]

Haha now he knows what playing with another playmaker feels like

 

[Skinnyjimmy08]

Haha now he knows what playing with another playmaker feels like

hes gonna be unbelievable playing with guys on his same thought level. I cant wait to watch.

that was always 1 thing frustrating when watching his games... even as far back as peewee... his level of thinking was head and shoulders better than his teammates and he would continuously have to keep holding onto puck and turning with it and waiting.. I mean sure it was entertaining as hell to watch, but it always left you excited at the thought of how much better he can be playing with guys on the same vision level

 

[Jester9881]

It was a lot of fun watching Barzal and Ho-Sang on the same line the other night.

 

[PWJunior]

Barzal is on the #1PP unit with Leddy, Tavares, Lee, and Eberle in practice. He's also slated as the #2C between Ladd and Bailey. All signs point to him getting his chance to play in the NHL. The reign of Barzal is NIGH.

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

Barzal is on the #1PP unit with Leddy, Tavares, Lee, and Eberle in practice. He's also slated as the #2C between Ladd and Bailey. All signs point to him getting his chance to play in the NHL. The reign of Barzal is NIGH.

Is that where he's expected to play when the regular season begins? Ironically, that could mean both Ho-Sang and Pulock produce a lot less than expected this season, if Barzal's taking that last spot on the top PP unit.

 

[SI90]

Is that where he's expected to play when the regular season begins? Ironically, that could mean both Ho-Sang and Pulock produce a lot less than expected this season, if Barzal's taking that last spot on the top PP unit.

I think the thought process is that Barzal and Ho-Sang play similarly and it's best to break them up.


The #1 PP will get the bulk of the TOI but I think Ho-Sang and the 2nd unit will get their shot. Points wise they might not produce as much but as long as they're producing when called upon that's all that matters.



I'd actually prefer Ho-Sang on the #1 PP and Barzal on the #2

 

[PWJunior]

Is that where he's expected to play when the regular season begins? Ironically, that could mean both Ho-Sang and Pulock produce a lot less than expected this season, if Barzal's taking that last spot on the top PP unit.

All signs point to Barzal starting out as the #2C between Ladd and Bailey. He was on the #1PP with Leddy and the Lee-Tavares-Eberle line in practice. Looks like he's at the point and will share zone entry duties with Leddy. If he's the goods, he's going to have the ice time and responsibility to put up numbers.

The #2PP unit was Pulock-Bailey-Ho-Sang-Nelson-Ladd, with Boychuk and de Haan included in the drill work.

 

[SI90]

Lee-JT-Eberle
Ladd-Barzal-Bailey
Beau-Nelson-JHS

That seems to be the top9

 

[Pure Slaughter Value]

Lee-JT-Eberle
Ladd-Barzal-Bailey
Beau-Nelson-JHS

That seems to be the top9

Not sure how good it will be but it's smart in theory. JT's line is a bonafide threat that can play big minutes.

Second line puts Barzal in a position to succeed. Has a good shot to his left in Ladd (who can also play physically) and a smart player in Bailey to his right.

Third line looks like a lot of fun, though I'd prefer Beau and Nelson switched (but I get it, possession-driving JHS can set up Nelson's ridiculous wrist shot).

 

[The Winter Soldier]

3 Assists for Barzal last night, he's all but assured to make the team. Now is just making a statement he is not to be taken lightly for the Calder this year. Probably to Craig Button.

 

[groov2]

Great goal. Man - that broadcast is painful to listen to.

 

[The Winter Soldier]

Great goal. Man - that broadcast is painful to listen to.

I have a feeling we will see this often this year. Barzal's strength in zone entries. It will create a lot of chances.

With a coach like Doug Weight, he finally has a coach that will put him in a position to succeed. I don't want to sound too confident, but I really see him having a great rookie year. Where my ranking him 5th overall from the 2015 draft may come to fruition this year.

We shall see!

 

[Islesfan22]

I have a feeling we will see this often this year. Barzal's strength in zone entries. It will create a lot of chances.

With a coach like Doug Weight, he finally has a coach that will put him in a position to succeed. I don't want to sound too confident, but I really see him having a great rookie year. Where my ranking him 5th overall from the 2015 draft may come to fruition this year.

We shall see!

He has looked great in preseason. He's such a good skater only Leddy better skater on the islanders. Kid is playing with confidence and has a little bit of tenacity in his game.

 

[The Winter Soldier]

He has looked great in preseason. He's such a good skater only Leddy better skater on the islanders. Kid is playing with confidence and has a little bit of tenacity in his game.

You guys were really lucky to draft him. I thought he was a sure top 10 talent in the 2015 draft. As mentioned I had him rated as high as #5 in my final ranking. He was one of the better Centers I saw coming from this draft past McDavid-Eichel.

The Isles are a very exciting team this year. They are high on my list of teams to watch when I can. Doug Weight is going to play the kids, and this bodes well for Barzal if he maintains his intensity from the preseason for the entire year.

 

[The Winter Soldier]

Barzal finished preseason with 1 assist. By my count this gives him 3 goals, and 4 assists, 7 points overall.

Now the real games begin. But Barzal did what he had to do, he earned a spot on the NY Isles. Probably a top 6 spot. It's great to see when a talented former 1st rd pick does this in camp.

Now he needs to carry this to the regular season and keep proving himself game in game out.

 

[SI90]

Barzal looked fantastic. Not just because the goals and assists but his overall play was really good. He's most likely the islanders #2 center.

I'm excited to see him continue to grow and help the team. He's going to be a weapon on the PP with his vision, zone entry, and possession ability.

 

[The Winter Soldier]

Here is Barzal's lovely assist the other night to end his his fine preseason.



Looks like he will be NY Isles starting #2C behind Tavares.



Here is Coach Weight's pre-season opening game's comments.



NY Isles will be a fun young team to watch this season. Barzal fits the coach's description to a T.

 

[SI90]

Barzal Beauvillier and Ho-Sang are all fun too watch!!! Weight is going to unleash them!!! I love it.

 

[The Winter Soldier]

Barzal Beauvillier and Ho-Sang are all fun too watch!!! Weight is going to unleash them!!! I love it.

And Pulock too! Really looking fwd in seeing what this young group can do this season. They have 4 balanced lines, they also have a coach that puts young players in positions to succeed. Like them, like this team a lot!

 

[The Winter Soldier]

Mathew got off to a slow start, and with him finally getting rewarded with production 3 points in his last 3 games(All even strength since the Isles PP has been brutal) he seems to be settling down. When he is skating, he is a fun player to watch.

 

[Islesfan22]

Mathew got off to a slow start, and with him finally getting rewarded with production 3 points in his last 3 games(All even strength since the Isles PP has been brutal) he seems to be settling down. When he is skating, he is a fun player to watch.

He has been a bit snake bitten. Barzal was great against the Rangers but stoned a few times by Lundquist. I was at the game last night and man he just fun to watch. Once the pp gets going a bit Barzal will be putting up points consistently

 

[SI90]

Barzal is been one of great isles best players. He's been getting and creating tons of offensive chances. He hasn't finished a few goals but the chances are there. The way he's playing you could see how he projects to be a legit #1 center.

 

[Islesfan22]

Thank you Chiarelli. Man this kid is fun to watch.

 

[BelovedIsles]

Amazing player. Only 20 my god! I can now appreciate what Seattle fans got to witness. He’s only going to get better.

 

[WangMustGo]

He is easily the best prospect the Isles have drafted since Tavares. This guy is creating a ton of chances every night. He seems like he is really adjusting to the speed of the game. I wouldn't be surprised if he finishes the year with 50+ points.