Mat Barzal WILL take a huge step back next season

[LordZapp]

I wonder if the general concensus is the same now.

 

[PWJunior]

Tavares shades Barzal in his press conference. 'That kid who won the Calder' Haha. That kid.

 

[LordZapp]

Tavares shades Barzal in his press conference. 'That kid who won the Calder' Haha. That kid.

Did he really say that kid? Lmfao

 

[PWJunior]

Did he really say that kid? Lmfao

Twice. Awkward AF. As if he couldn't remember his name.

 

[K Fleur]

Can’t see a way player that skates and handles the puck that well “take a huge step back”

 

[MikeyMike01]

Tavares played like absolute dogshit last year. Barzal was taking defensive pressure of off Tavares, not the other way around.

 

[Prairie Habs]

Tavares played like absolute dog**** last year. Barzal was taking defensive pressure of off Tavares, not the other way around.

This is like the last few days before Stamkos re-signed and Bolts fans were saying how he was their 5th most important player at best and they were better off without him and his busted leg ruining their cap. Or Toronto fans right after he re-signed about how they didn't actually want him anyway.

 

[MikeyMike01]

This is like the last few days before Stamkos re-signed and Bolts fans were saying how he was their 5th most important player at best and they were better off without him and his busted leg ruining their cap. Or Toronto fans right after he re-signed about how they didn't actually want him anyway.

You can check the threads on the Islanders boards for the last 6 months. People have been saying he mailed it in this year because he was preparing to leave. Obviously they were right.

 

[SI90]

Tavares shades Barzal in his press conference. 'That kid who won the Calder' Haha. That kid.

That’s what happens when the kid outshines you, out scores you, and captivates the fan base.

 

[Langdon Alger]

Woah, hold on a second. He spells his name Mat? Just one t?

 

[MikeyMike01]

Woah, hold on a second. He spells his name Mat? Just one t?

Well his parents did

 

[Prairie Habs]

You can check the threads on the Islanders boards for the last 6 months. People have been saying he mailed it in this year because he was preparing to leave. Obviously they were right.

Facts in favour of him mailing it in: Fans worried he was going to leave trashing him

Facts in favour of him NOT mailing it in: him going PPG on a terrible team

 

[983 others]

He won’t take a big step back at all if you’re into puck hogging and turnovers I can tell you that much.

 

[gordie]

All teams attention will be on Barzal. Will be interesting how he handles it?

 

[authentic]

PWJunior doesn't seem to love Tavares too much anymore. I guess it's understandable. I do find it funny that people think Barzal is a better player already than Tavares though.

 

[Jimmy Firecracker]

We'll see how Barzal does now that JT isn't there to take some of the heat off of him.

 

[voxel]

Didn’t people say the same about Marner last off-season? Progression is a funny thing. Barzal also may stall next season only to boom the season or two after.

 

[MikeyMike01]

Facts in favour of him mailing it in: Fans worried he was going to leave trashing him

Facts in favour of him NOT mailing it in: him going PPG on a terrible team

Once again: Tavares put in a poor effor this year compared to years past, especially as the season wore on. He seemed listless and just going through the motions.

The only reason his stats are what they are is because Barzal took the other team’s focus away from him.

Anyone who watched the games saw this.

 

[The Winter Soldier]

That’s what happens when the kid outshines you, out scores you, and captivates the fan base.

Barzal was better than JT was at even strength. We said this last year when it was happening. The eye test says this, the stats test said this. It's Barzal's team now. Isles have young talent on the way. As much as it hurts Isles fans for JT now coming back. As I said in threads leading up to whomever signed him. The latter part of his contract is going to hurt. Barzal already outpointed JT in his rookie season.

 

[Prairie Habs]

Once again: Tavares put in a poor effor this year compared to years past, especially as the season wore on. He seemed listless and just going through the motions.

The only reason his stats are what they are is because Barzal took the other team’s focus away from him.

Anyone who watched the games saw this.

Rationalize all you want, 84 points =/= dog****

 

[haulinbass]

Losing Tavares will definitely make things harder on Barzal. Even if he does struggle a bit at times next season, the kid still is and going to be an exceptional player for a long time. Not sure why people have such an agenda against him. He is one of the most exciting players in the league and we need more players like him.

No player in the league plays more similar to the way Datsyuk played the game than this kid. Not an Islanders fan but it is hard to not be a fan of this kid.

 

[The Winter Soldier]

Rationalize all you want, 84 points =/= dog****

84 pts and outpointed by a 20 year old Center in an all run and gun. Or atleast this is what I was told. I wonder which narrative is more true.

 

[Critical13]

Tavares played like absolute dog**** last year. Barzal was taking defensive pressure of off Tavares, not the other way around.

Here it comes lads. The revisionist history on Tavares.

 

[Revelation]

Isles should have gone hard after Stastny to shelter Barzal. He has much better tools than Tavares and could be in the Seguin/Kuznetsov/MacKinnon tier with good coaching and support

 

[mm11]

We'll see how Barzal does now that JT isn't there to take some of the heat off of him.

Have to presume Mathews has no heat on him now. So 85 plus points a year are in the bag now.