This quote from Clutterbuck after the Rags game says the exact reason I think Barzal is "struggling" this year, while the bottom 6 is doing so much better.
"It hurts more players than it helps,” he said. “There’s certainly players that are gifted offensively who can create and read off each other when there’s not much structure. You put those gifted guys together on a line and they can still succeed. And when they play as much as they did last year, they get a chance to feel the puck, create those chances. When you’re not out there as much, you want to make sure you’re doing the right thing, so it takes away from feeling like you want to get up there in the play and create. It’s more a ‘don’t get scored on’ feeling. Maintain my trust, my ice time and be responsible."
With Trotz's workhorses leading the way, Islanders show...
He's a -10 this year, the worst on the team, because he's learning to play with real structure where he isn't allowed to roam around doing whatever he wants.