It certainly looks that way, although the US team is probably going to lose a load of talent as well. Wouldn't be surprised to see Barzal's buddy Beauvillier captain the Canadian squad, as he's quite unlikely to make NYI.
I feel certain that Barzal is going to start with the big club and continue unless he just can't cut it in the neutral and defensive zones over the first 9 games. It's not only that he's been so good, but that NYI desperately need him because of their weakness at center caused by Nielsen's loss. One of Nielsen's strengths was his ability to carry the puck through the neutral zone, and Barzal can do that too. If Barzal can show the ability to finish off the rush (an ability Nielsen honed over years), that will really help alleviate the loss. Defenders are obviously going to play the pass against Barzal until he makes them pay.
The other thing NYI fans have gotten to see is how good Josh Ho-Sang can be at the NHL level. The kid has performed well, but he's taken some hits. He'll go down the the AHL. Beauvillier hasn't been as dynamic as Ho-Sang, but he also seems more prepared to deal with the time and physicality (it helps that he likes to shoot the puck). Dal Colle definitely is the worst pro player of the lot right now, because he neither has the jump nor the strength to retrieve the puck at the pro level. NYI fans expect to see Dal Colle spend the whole year in the AHL. Ho-Sang is likely to get called up first. NYI are also *very* deep with players who play or can play LW (Ladd, Lee, Nelson, Kulemin, Chimera, Bailey). RW? Not so much.
