Barzal is the better player I would argue at this point. Barzal's contract was for only RFA years though, so you gotta figure that RNH's camp is using it as a comparable on the low end. The two players past performance over the past 2 seasons has been very similar, but I think moving forward Barzal should be expected to be the better player.
All in all though, I might have to rethink my opinion that nobody would give RNH 7+ based on that Barzal deal (I had kinda forgot he signed that).
There's no need to rethink anything based on the Barzal contract.
He is a lot better than RNH if we're being honest. He drives the entire offense for the Islanders. Put RNH in his spot without all the gravy McDrai PP and even strength boost and he's a 50-55 point player.
Barzal has rounded into a pretty good defensive player as well under Trotz so no advantage for Nuge there either.
I see you answered my previous post.
I think 7 is the max they can or should go. Ideally, it should start with a 6. If RNH wants to chase the money looking for somewhere near Duchene money, he'll have to go elsewhere.