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

[Jester9881]

The last Islander prospect to get a 9 game look and actually play in NHL games? Nino Neideirreiter

I'd put Barzal's chances of sticking in the NHL past 9 games at slim to none.

 

[Islesfan22]

agreed.

I strongly feel Barzal will be back in junior for one more year

Honestly, I cringe when Barzal has to take draws in the DZ in junior, I cant imagine him taking those draws against grown men. Who knows, maybe this offseason he has been working on his strength and working on his face offs. We will see come training camp

Kid is known as having a great work ethic. If Barzal has the work ethic of John Tavares then I'm sure he is working on weaknesses in his games this summer.

 

[The Winter Soldier]

Seattle Thunderbirds tweeted this goal out July 13 this summer. Never saw it until just now. Nice display of between the legs and hands by Barzal. Whether one believes he is NHL ready or not this year, this is a talent. Can't think of many players that would try this move in a game and be successful at it.

 

[LV*]

2017 CHL player of the year if Marner makes the NHL

 

[Major Happy*]

2017 CHL player of the year if Marner makes the NHL

Doubt it..

 

[haulinbass]

That was a nice move. Barzal usually plays a very smart and simple game so I don't think enough people realize how much skill he has available when he wants/needs to use it.

He is a complete package. He sees the ice very well, he is always involved in the play both offensively and defensively. It seems like every shift the puck is going through Barzal. The kid makes a lot of nice defensive reads and picks off passes, very good at zone entries, good set-up man on the power play, the list goes on...

The main thing I like about him as I already mentioned, Is that he is always involved. I think one of the hardest things to become is a player who impacts the game on a shift-to-shift basis. A lot of players can score a couple goals and be somewhat invisible the rest of the game. Barzal seems to be a guy that has a positive impact almost everytime he is out there.

I know he isn't one of those players who scored 120 points in the CHL, but I really think hes a player (once hes developed in the NHL) who won't have an issue carrying over most of his production. I think he has a shot of becoming a legit 1C in the NHL. His floor is really high and his chances of becoming a good 2C are extremely likely. Islanders could be very interesting down the middle in the future. I'm not a big Islanders fan but it sure would be great to see what Tavares could do if someone took the load off him and he wasn't pretty much a one man show.

I also seen a video on him talking about how heavily he studies the game. It sounded like he puts an above average amount of time into watching films, etc.

 

[covfefe]

Barzal didn't put up 100+ purely as a result of Seattle's system and generally consistent lack of offensive output(s). On teams like last year's Rockets, Brandon, Lethbridge, he is easily a 100+ point player. It's always more telling to look at output relative to team production anyway, though I am sure you know that.

To the guy/gal selling him way past short two posts above this, I am confused as to why you feel thus. Barzal is the best player in the WHL next year, including patrick. Watch Kolesar/Gropp put up 50g/80+ point seasons on his wing and then tell me he isn't special. If he had genuine offensive talents to play with, the W would be absolute childs play this season. Still think he's back in jr next year, but this guy is special with the puck on his stick.

 

[haulinbass]

Here are a couple shift-by-shift videos. Keep in mind these are from his draft year at 17 years old. He seems to have hit another level in his draft +1 season.

Defensively he reminds me a lot of Datsyuk. He is very good at swooping down into puck battles and stealing the puck, immediately turning it into a dangerous scoring opportunity. He can rob pucks clean much like Datsyuk by using opportunistic timing. Usually when Barzal himself gets stripped of the puck he is able to immediately pressure the player heavily enough for his team to regain control. As I mentioned in my last post, he is also very good at reading the play and picking off passes. He goes about all this in a very similar fashion to Datsyuk. I would feel comfortable taking a guess that Datsyuk is one of his top choices to study.

I can't really put my finger on a really good offensive comparison. But Sam Reinhart isn't a bad one in terms of offensive vision and passing. I'm not sure anyone has really nailed a good comparable for him. Would be an interesting conversation to get going over this long and boring off-season.

Barzal didn't put up 100+ purely as a result of Seattle's system and generally consistent lack of offensive output(s). On teams like last year's Rockets, Brandon, Lethbridge, he is easily a 100+ point player. It's always more telling to look at output relative to team production anyway, though I am sure you know that.

Exactly

Barzal carried his team in offense while being tied to similar responsibilities as a center in the NHL. As you said, Seattle plays a very structured pro style system (considering we are talking about junior hockey here).

 

[Emerald City Bruin]

Barzal didn't put up 100+ purely as a result of Seattle's system and generally consistent lack of offensive output(s). On teams like last year's Rockets, Brandon, Lethbridge, he is easily a 100+ point player. It's always more telling to look at output relative to team production anyway, though I am sure you know that.

To the guy/gal selling him way past short two posts above this, I am confused as to why you feel thus. Barzal is the best player in the WHL next year, including patrick. Watch Kolesar/Gropp put up 50g/80+ point seasons on his wing and then tell me he isn't special. If he had genuine offensive talents to play with, the W would be absolute childs play this season. Still think he's back in jr next year, but this guy is special with the puck on his stick.

Your point stands but Gropp will not be back with Seattle this season.

 

[Skinnyjimmy08]

Your point stands but Gropp will not be back with Seattle this season.

There is still slight hope Gropp is back with Seattle. NYR did this a couple years ago and surprisingly sent high scoring Adam Tambellini back to WHL for his 20 year old season even though he was expected to play AHL. I have heard some rumblings NYR could possibly do the same with Gropp if he's not quite ready. That would be a HUGE boost if Barzal and Gropp both come back. Those 2, Kolesar and Bear will be a scary 4 some

 

[Emerald City Bruin]

There is still slight hope Gropp is back with Seattle. NYR did this a couple years ago and surprisingly sent high scoring Adam Tambellini back to WHL for his 20 year old season even though he was expected to play AHL. I have heard some rumblings NYR could possibly do the same with Gropp if he's not quite ready. That would be a HUGE boost if Barzal and Gropp both come back. Those 2, Kolesar and Bear will be a scary 4 some

Barzal returning would have Seattle go from seller/holder to buyer. Barzal and Gropp returning would have the team going into full Memorial Cup or bust mode.

 

[Skinnyjimmy08]

Barzal returning would have Seattle go from seller/holder to buyer. Barzal and Gropp returning would have the team going into full Memorial Cup or bust mode.

yup...if Barzal doesn't return, I really wouldn't doubt if Tbirds sell. Kolesar and Bear would get them very big returns. Both will be going in their final WHL season since they are signed. It's crazy how the whole Seattle organization will be waiting the Barzal decision in NYI cause it will be one extreme or the other(buyers or sellers) if he stays or comes back.

 

[LordNeverLose]

Here are a couple shift-by-shift videos. Keep in mind these are from his draft year at 17 years old. He seems to have hit another level in his draft +1 season.

Defensively he reminds me a lot of Datsyuk. He is very good at swooping down into puck battles and stealing the puck, immediately turning it into a dangerous scoring opportunity. He can rob pucks clean much like Datsyuk by using opportunistic timing. Usually when Barzal himself gets stripped of the puck he is able to immediately pressure the player heavily enough for his team to regain control. As I mentioned in my last post, he is also very good at reading the play and picking off passes. He goes about all this in a very similar fashion to Datsyuk. I would feel comfortable taking a guess that Datsyuk is one of his top choices to study.

I can't really put my finger on a really good offensive comparison. But Sam Reinhart isn't a bad one in terms of offensive vision and passing. I'm not sure anyone has really nailed a good comparable for him. Would be an interesting conversation to get going over this long and boring off-season.







Exactly

Barzal carried his team in offense while being tied to similar responsibilities as a center in the NHL. As you said, Seattle plays a very structured pro style system (considering we are talking about junior hockey here).

I haven't been able to catch a lot of WHL games, but to me Barzal's complete game reminds me of RNH.

 

[JawandaPuck]

I haven't been able to catch a lot of WHL games, but to me Barzal's complete game reminds me of RNH.

Both of them are also products of the Burnaby Winter Club.

 

[Colt.45Orr]

Anybody have a clip of Barzal's series winning OT (assist) against the Prince George Cougars?

 

[Skinnyjimmy08]

Barzal isn't participating in Seattle camp... had a hip injury a while back, but its healed, but NYI doesn't want him participating in camp at all so he is 100% ready to potentially make the Isles.

Could be a crappy sign for Seattle Thunderbird fans and organization for next season

 

[SI90]

Barzal isn't participating in Seattle camp... had a hip injury a while back, but its healed, but NYI doesn't want him participating in camp at all so he is 100% ready to potentially make the Isles.

Could be a crappy sign for Seattle Thunderbird fans and organization for next season

Is it common for 1st round picks to attend Junior camp, leave for pro camp, and then if they don't make the NHL return to junior team?


I always thought they usually went straight to their respective pro camps and got sent back if they didn't make the NHL team.

 

[Skinnyjimmy08]

Is it common for 1st round picks to attend Junior camp, leave for pro camp, and then if they don't make the NHL return to junior team?


I always thought they usually went straight to their respective pro camps and got sent back if they didn't make the NHL team.

yes they always attend camp and do everything just as they would be staying in junior all year, and then when NHL camps start, they leave for that camp and then stay around or come back. Only time it doesn't happen is if they are signed and they are 20 years old. Ex. Barzal's teammate Ryan Gropp is signed by NYR and he wont be at Seattle's camp at all and trains at home(or wherever) until NYR camp starts and is expected to be in the NYR organization somewhere. However, NYR can still choose to send him back to Seattle if they feel its the best option for his development

 

[UsernameWasTaken]

Barzal isn't participating in Seattle camp... had a hip injury a while back, but its healed, but NYI doesn't want him participating in camp at all so he is 100% ready to potentially make the Isles.

Could be a crappy sign for Seattle Thunderbird fans and organization for next season

Really? He certainly had a strong season but didn't strike me as a player who is currently NHL-ready.

 

[Skinnyjimmy08]

Really? He certainly had a strong season but didn't strike me as a player who is currently NHL-ready.

Ya it's an interesting situation. He is one of my favorite prospects but imo he should play another season in WHL. I know alot of people feel he is definately NHL ready though and will be on the Isles next season

Time will tell tho. I know isles fans are eagerly hoping he sticks and felt last season he was extremely close to making the team.. and seattle fans and management are obviously praying he is returned . I am very curious how this plays out

 

[Face Of Bear]

Barzal can probably hold his own in the NHL right now, but imo, it's a question of do you need him up with the Isles now, or can you let him marinate a little longer in junior? The Isles are pretty deep, so I think he'd have to have a really strong camp to keep him up. If he is good/average, give him the extra time in junior, let him experience the WJC again, let him round out some other aspects of his game and bulk up a little more. No harm in keeping him down if that's what it comes down to. By the time next season rolls around, I dont think there will be any questions on whether he is ready or not, and in the end, isn't that the kind of situation you want to be bringing a player into? As opposed to the uncertainty that might be involved with keeping him up this yeat

 

[Fixed to Ruin]

Barzal can probably hold his own in the NHL right now, but imo, it's a question of do you need him up with the Isles now, or can you let him marinate a little longer in junior? The Isles are pretty deep, so I think he'd have to have a really strong camp to keep him up. If he is good/average, give him the extra time in junior, let him experience the WJC again, let him round out some other aspects of his game and bulk up a little more. No harm in keeping him down if that's what it comes down to. By the time next season rolls around, I dont think there will be any questions on whether he is ready or not, and in the end, isn't that the kind of situation you want to be bringing a player into? As opposed to the uncertainty that might be involved with keeping him up this yeat

He should be in the AHL if he's not quite ready for the NHL but that's a discussion for a different thread. I don't see the value of him returning to junior to dominate the league for a 2nd year.

 

[seafoam]

Barzal can play in the NHL this year I think, but playing and making are impact are two different things.

I'd only want him in the NHL if he's ready to make an impact, otherwise let him return to Seattle, go deep in the WHL playoffs, and be a leader on Team Canada at the World Juniors.

 

[The Winter Soldier]

I think we are going to see quite a few 19 year olds in the NHL this upcoming season. I can certainly see Barzal as a NHL rookie to alteast start the season and perhaps more than him returning for a 4th year with Seattle.

 

[anko]

Biased Seattle fan / season ticketholder.

IMO Barzal has been significantly less effective vs opponents with size who clearly make a point of finishing checks and pushing him around. Playoff Game 1 vs PG comes to mind as an example. I think his strength needs one more year and he'll be back with Seattle.

I don't expect Gropp to be back, but wouldn't be shocked, and I think he's going to bust as a pro. IMO he is an excellent shooter when given time and space, but cannot create his own opportunities and must play a more physical style.

Disagree that if Seattle loses Barzal, Farwell will sell. IMO without Barzal they're right with Spokane as division favorites, and Farwell isn't going to sell that, even with little chance of winning the West. The 14-15 team was going nowhere, with or without Theodore.