Ben Shelley: Reviewing the season (so far): Mathew Barzal

https://twitter.com/Holbo.../1241800845290803205?s=09

Ben Shelley: Reviewing the season (so far): Mathew Barzal
- Ben Shelley

Not trying to be a troll, but do you islander fans think Barzal will be here long term? With 15 players inked in through the 21-22 season, averaging just under 32 years old, this team is one of the older groups in the league. Factor that in with Lou/Trotz defense first mentality (it works great for them) and is Barzal thrilled to sign an 8 year deal? I doubt contract talks go smooth for an elite player that is playing defensive sub-1ppg hockey. Hopefully you guys retain him, as the fan base has been great considering the arena drama, and other issues, but I just feel this could be similar to Trouba and Winnipeg.

Not trying to be a troll, but do you islander fans think Barzal will be here long term? With 15 players inked in through the 21-22 season, averaging just under 32 years old, this team is one of the older groups in the league. Factor that in with Lou/Trotz defense first mentality (it works great for them) and is Barzal thrilled to sign an 8 year deal? I doubt contract talks go smooth for an elite player that is playing defensive sub-1ppg hockey. Hopefully you guys retain him, as the fan base has been great considering the arena drama, and other issues, but I just feel this could be similar to Trouba and Winnipeg.
- bikeguy99

I think it’s more likely you see Brazal sign a bridge deal, similar to Brayden Points’ 3 year deal. The isles are a fairly deep team and while they may not have the star power outside of barzal I would say their roster is relatively underrated.

Also we have yet to see if the prospect development system has improved under Lou and trotz since this has only been their second year there. Not saying it will be enough but I find it hard to believe that any prospect development system can be any worse than Garth snows.

https://twitter.com/Rossy...tatus/1242110335374569472

Should I send this guy a tweet and ask him to make me a goal call from "Pete Jhomaboi"?

Or Gabe Athaus?

Barzal isn't going anywhere.. if he signs an offer sheet they will match it. If they need cap room they will move someone. they have tons of $$ coming off the books every year which will leave room to sign young guys. Cap going up.. They have NEVER ... I repeat.. NEVER had cap issues in my lifetime. Never been close to the cap limit.

Yet every year we have guys concerned about the cap. and every year it remains a non issue.

How's things going for you guys down there?

How's things going for you guys down there?
- Wildschwein

- JohnScammo

Status quo then.

How's things going for you guys down there?
- Wildschwein

Things are interesting here for sure. It's eerie being on the road during rush hour and having the parkway wide open.

Things are interesting here for sure. It's eerie being on the road during rush hour and having the parkway wide open.
- eichiefs9

People taking this pandemic pretty seriously then?

(Stupid question I know, but I don't have TV and my internet is slow as poop, so streaming news feeds is iffy at best)

People taking this pandemic pretty seriously then?

(Stupid question I know, but I don't have TV and my internet is slow as poop, so streaming news feeds is iffy at best)
- Wildschwein

A lot of people are, probably even more than I expected. Some of it was mandated by state/local gov't obviously but a lot of people are genuinely serious about this. But there are plenty of dippoops out there too.

A lot of people are, probably even more than I expected. Some of it was mandated by state/local gov't obviously but a lot of people are genuinely serious about this. But there are plenty of dippoops out there too.
- eichiefs9

Same up here.

People taking this pandemic pretty seriously then?

(Stupid question I know, but I don't have TV and my internet is slow as poop, so streaming news feeds is iffy at best)
- Wildschwein

Its still almost impossible to get eggs, pancake mix, pasta, cleaning products and toilet paper. Meanwhile I can get any type of takeout food I want. A friend of mine joked that he should order 12 egg mcmuffins from McDonalds, but tell them not to cook them and just give him the raw ingredients.

It would be great to see a desperate team offer barzal 7 x 12m...

That would really burn through a lot of cap space when the isles match...they have no choice...pretty much a garbage team without him!!!

I think it’s more likely you see Brazal sign a bridge deal, similar to Brayden Points’ 3 year deal. The isles are a fairly deep team and while they may not have the star power outside of barzal I would say their roster is relatively underrated.

Also we have yet to see if the prospect development system has improved under Lou and trotz since this has only been their second year there. Not saying it will be enough but I find it hard to believe that any prospect development system can be any worse than Garth snows.
- RedC21

I think it’s more likely you see Brazal sign a bridge deal, similar to Brayden Points’ 3 year deal. The isles are a fairly deep team and while they may not have the star power outside of barzal I would say their roster is relatively underrated.

Also we have yet to see if the prospect development system has improved under Lou and trotz since this has only been their second year there. Not saying it will be enough but I find it hard to believe that any prospect development system can be any worse than Garth snows.
- RedC21

A deep team?

Huh???

It would be great to see a desperate team offer barzal 7 x 12m...

That would really burn through a lot of cap space when the isles match...they have no choice...pretty much a garbage team without him!!!
- bruceflyers

Actually, they do. And since the team giving such an offer sheet would have to surrender four 1st round picks, I'd be inclined to let Barzal go.

Lee-Nelson-Eberle
Beauvillier-Pageau-Bailey

That top 6 isn't spectacular, but it's serviceable. And that's if the Islanders choose to not flip a couple of those newly acquired 1sts for top 6 upgrades. Lou would certainly be able to afford such moves, since he'd no longer have to pay Barzal.

That’s a super horrible top 6.


0 chance of playoffs.

Let’s hope.