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

[The Winter Soldier]

Game 1 against Powerhouse Brandon tonight. Will be interesting seeing Barzal match up against Provorov. Battle of titans. Have a world of respect for both players.

 

[Skinnyjimmy08]

Game 1 against Powerhouse Brandon tonight. Will be interesting seeing Barzal match up against Provorov. Battle of titans. Have a world of respect for both players.

last time they faced each other, Barzal had 5 assists and plus 4... Hopefully he can duplicate that!

 

[The Winter Soldier]

last time they faced each other, Barzal had 5 assists and plus 4... Hopefully he can duplicate that!

This will be a game within a game. Provorov is the best D man in junior. I have to think Seattle is the underdog. It will be interesting to see if Barzal can continue to raise his game. He will be the focus of Brandon defenders no doubt. He is the go to man in Seattle.

 

[Skinnyjimmy08]

Wow barzal is flying so far in game 1 of WHL finals. Looks extremely dominating when he has the puck on his stick. So damn patient with the puck. Happy to see game is on sportsnet

 

[The Winter Soldier]

Wow barzal is flying so far in game 1 of WHL finals. Looks extremely dominating when he has the puck on his stick. So damn patient with the puck. Happy to see game is on sportsnet

Ice looks horrible tonight. But Barzal with his first dominating shift in the 2nd. Controlled the puck, and made his usual slick passes that only he can do.

 

[Skinnyjimmy08]

Ice looks horrible tonight. But Barzal with his first dominating shift in the 2nd. Controlled the puck, and made his usual slick passes that only he can do.

They don't call him The Dish Magician for nothing haha

Needs to get stronger on draws... great player but doesn't win many draws

 

[The Winter Soldier]

Barzal wraps of his playoffs with 7 points in 5 games against WHL champions Brandon WheatKings. WheatKings have just too much weapons. Still a good showing for Matthew in what might be his last WHL game. We will see if he makes the Isles this fall where he has already impressed last fall.

 

[PWJunior]

Barzal wraps of his playoffs with 7 points in 5 games against WHL champions Brandon WheatKings. WheatKings have just too much weapons. Still a good showing for Matthew in what might be his last WHL game. We will see if he makes the Isles this fall where he has already impressed last fall.

I would prefer to keep Barzal away from Capuano next year. The guy mishandled all of our young players and he'll do the same with the next wave of kids.

 

[Skinnyjimmy08]

Barzal wraps of his playoffs with 7 points in 5 games against WHL champions Brandon WheatKings. WheatKings have just too much weapons. Still a good showing for Matthew in what might be his last WHL game. We will see if he makes the Isles this fall where he has already impressed last fall.

I don't see him in NHL next year. IMO there will be a few real "big name" prospects that will be sent back to junior next season and itll cause a big up roar on hfboards

There are just some that are "too good" for junior but wont be ready for NHL

 

[The Winter Soldier]

I don't see him in NHL next year. IMO there will be a few real "big name" prospects that will be sent back to junior next season and itll cause a big up roar on hfboards

There are just some that are "too good" for junior but wont be ready for NHL

I am going to adopt a wait and see approach. I can see him playing very well at Isles camp and preseason that he will certainly break camp with the NHL team. I think he has conquered the WHL, and the Isles would be risking of stalling his development if Matthew just goes through the motions in Seattle next year. There is really nothing more for him to learn down there. However, Seattle's core if they all come back should be WHL contenders next season. And this may drive Barzal.

 

[Skinnyjimmy08]

I am going to adopt a wait and see approach. I can see him playing very well at Isles camp and preseason that he will certainly break camp with the NHL team. I think he has conquered the WHL, and the Isles would be risking of stalling his development if Matthew just goes through the motions in Seattle next year. There is really nothing more for him to learn down there. However, Seattle's core if they all come back should be WHL contenders next season. And this may drive Barzal.

exactly.... this will be a main thing for NYI to consider. Seattle will be a real good team again if the big 3 of Barzal, Kolesar, Bear come back(Barzal will be the only one in question). I know Tbirds fans are expecting a huge year next season

I just don't think Barzal is physically ready. He will come back after an extended NHL camp and dominate the WJC and go on another long playoff run in Seattle

Ever since I saw the Domi situation where he was surprisingly returned for his 19 year old season, I have no issue what so ever having prospects return for that final junior season(even though they are said to have nothing to prove and too good for junior)... that worked great for him cause he has turned into an unreal young player

 

[93LEAFS]

Isles took it slow with Ryan Strome who was as good of a prospect or better, I don't see him on the main roster next year. I don't think we see Barzal on the Isles til mid 2017-18. I may be wrong, but he seems best suited for center, so another Jr year, then atleast half a season in the minors playing C full time may be the best course of action. Isles seem to of slowed down bringing pros up so quickly after Josh Bailey and Niederiter failed to work out. Seems Tavares showed them the gap between a teenager who was ready, and one they were taking a big chance with keeping up.

 

[Islesfan22]

exactly.... this will be a main thing for NYI to consider. Seattle will be a real good team again if the big 3 of Barzal, Kolesar, Bear come back(Barzal will be the only one in question). I know Tbirds fans are expecting a huge year next season

I just don't think Barzal is physically ready. He will come back after an extended NHL camp and dominate the WJC and go on another long playoff run in Seattle

Ever since I saw the Domi situation where he was surprisingly returned for his 19 year old season, I have no issue what so ever having prospects return for that final junior season(even though they are said to have nothing to prove and too good for junior)... that worked great for him cause he has turned into an unreal young player

Isles have a tendency of not rushing there prospects after the Nino Niedereitter disaster. A lot really depends on what happens in free agency with the Islanders. If Nielsen leaves and Okposo both leave i think there is a really good chance Barzal starts with the Islanders if he has a strong camp again.

 

[Zaddy]

Barzal should definitely be back in junior next year. Nothing to gain for him by playing in the NHL. He needs more time. He has plenty of more to prove in juniors and it's what's best for his development. With that being said, getting a cup of coffee in the NHL wouldn't hurt him and could be beneficiary, but not more than 9 games.

 

[boredmale]

Barzal should definitely be back in junior next year. Nothing to gain for him by playing in the NHL. He needs more time. He has plenty of more to prove in juniors and it's what's best for his development. With that being said, getting a cup of coffee in the NHL wouldn't hurt him and could be beneficiary, but not more than 9 games.

Way I look at it why waste one year of his ELC so he can get 35 point

 

[seafoam]

Isles took it slow with Ryan Strome who was as good of a prospect or better, I don't see him on the main roster next year. I don't think we see Barzal on the Isles til mid 2017-18. I may be wrong, but he seems best suited for center, so another Jr year, then atleast half a season in the minors playing C full time may be the best course of action. Isles seem to of slowed down bringing pros up so quickly after Josh Bailey and Niederiter failed to work out. Seems Tavares showed them the gap between a teenager who was ready, and one they were taking a big chance with keeping up.

The main difference between Strome and Barzal is that Barzal has NHL caliber skating right now, where as Strome was still too slow for the NHL in his +1 and +2 draft years.

I still think Barzal should be back in junior next year. If Mitch Marner can go back to junior after a 126 point season, Barzal can with the season he had.

Plus, yes, I don't want him anywhere near Capuano.

 

[The Winter Soldier]

Well guys, either way I think he will have a big year next season. Knowing Barzal, I think he is going to come into camp determined to show the Isles he is ready. And if he is sent back after 9 games, then he will probably have a lull, then as we get closer to the WHL playoffs, he will turn it on. As I do believe Seattle has a great chance of going all the way in the WHL next season if their core all returns. Which is likely.

 

[blinkman360]

exactly.... this will be a main thing for NYI to consider. Seattle will be a real good team again if the big 3 of Barzal, Kolesar, Bear come back(Barzal will be the only one in question). I know Tbirds fans are expecting a huge year next season

I just don't think Barzal is physically ready. He will come back after an extended NHL camp and dominate the WJC and go on another long playoff run in Seattle

Ever since I saw the Domi situation where he was surprisingly returned for his 19 year old season, I have no issue what so ever having prospects return for that final junior season(even though they are said to have nothing to prove and too good for junior)... that worked great for him cause he has turned into an unreal young player

He arguably earned a spot on the team coming out of TC last year, on a roster that was probably tougher to crack than what we'll have next year(we had Okposo, Grabovski, and the three young guys coming off of strong years). I don't think he'll have a hard time earning a spot on the team, but I do think he should be sent down. I agree with PW: I want this kid nowhere near Capuano.

Way I look at it why waste one year of his ELC so he can get 35 point

Where did you come up with that number?

Even if you're right though, I bet STL is glad that they kept Robby Fabbri and his 37 points around.

There is no set development formula for any one player. Regardless of how we've developed our young guys - rushing vs overdevelopment - they've all been disappointing to this point outside of the 1st overall can't-miss Tavares. If Barzal stands out and looks like he can FINALLY give us a dangerous 2nd line, I hope they don't just look at his age/size and say "nah".

The main difference between Strome and Barzal is that Barzal has NHL caliber skating right now, where as Strome was still too slow for the NHL in his +1 and +2 draft years.

I still think Barzal should be back in junior next year. If Mitch Marner can go back to junior after a 126 point season, Barzal can with the season he had.

Plus, yes, I don't want him anywhere near Capuano.

Marner and Barzal have played in two different leagues on two completely different teams. I wouldn't look at point totals when comparing the two players - or their NHL readiness. Plus, Toronto had no intention of competing this past year. They had no reason to play Marner.

Either way, I don't see what Marner not making the NHL as an 18 year old has with Barzal's chances of making it as a 19 year old. Let's wait until Prospect Camp and, more importantly, TC 2016 before claiming he's not ready.

At the end of the day though it's moot, since as you and PW have pointed out, Capuano will do Barzal(nor MDC, Ho-Sang, Beauvillier, or whoever we draft this year) no favors.

 

[boredmale]

Where did you come up with that number?

I just came up with a rough number what I think he might get, basically unless he is in the top 6 no use playing him

 

[blinkman360]

I just came up with a rough number what I think he might get, basically unless he is in the top 6 no use playing him

Agreed, but I think he would be in the top-six. If Nielsen is re-signed I expect them to go back to him on Tavares's wing. Barzal can get a shot between the two big(ger) goal scorers in Nelson and Lee.

 

[SI90]

Depending on the isles offseason moves I could see Barzal maybe making the team. For me, I prefer the slow development route but we'll see.

 

[Passchendaele]

He is obviously a playoff choker considering he couldn't lead his anemic team to the promised land.

 

[blinkman360]

He is obviously a playoff choker considering he couldn't lead his anemic team to the promised land.

He'll fit right in!!

 

[Riseonfire]

The main difference between Strome and Barzal is that Barzal has NHL caliber skating right now, where as Strome was still too slow for the NHL in his +1 and +2 draft years.

I still think Barzal should be back in junior next year. If Mitch Marner can go back to junior after a 126 point season, Barzal can with the season he had.

Plus, yes, I don't want him anywhere near Capuano.

But the big club situations are totally different. Toronto was a fire and NYI was a playoff team. I wouldn't want Marner near the Leafs this season. We can shelter Barzal waaaaaay better than Tor could shelter Marner.

Like someone else said, he could be a good 2C between some bigger players. Or even 3C with PP time. Our 2nd and 3rd line have been largely interchangeable for the last few years anyway.

It's not going to be up to us to decide of even the coaches to decide. It's 100% on Matthew Barzel to either make the NHL or not next season.

 

[Fixed to Ruin]

35 pts is the new 50 pts sadly.