GDT: GDT #14 New York Islanders @ Ottawa Senators | November 7th | 7:00 PM | F/W 4-2

[Rehabguy]

It certainly seems like the new first line is playing well, so might as well keep them together. But to use their temporary three-game success against weak opponents to suggest the team is better without Barzal is bizarre. The Oilers have won a few games without McDavid, Kings without Doughty, and the Leafs without Matthews, I guess that means those teams are better without their best players too?
If there's a Barzal trade that makes the team better, who wouldn't be for it, but trying to force a trade because people think the team is better without him is a poor way to build a strong team.
Assuming the first line continues to find success, it makes sense to try Barzal centering Duclair as a line 3 to see how it works out.

Was just going to write the same thing. So bizarre. How long did it take them to build a team around Crosby and McDavid. Barzal is neither of those but he's the best we got so why the heck would anyone think of trading him? As Leeroggy pointed out nothing wrong with being open about such possibilities but unless you are certain of getting a Turgeon for a LaFontaine you stay put or risk getting a Kirk Muller for a Turgeon which is more likely the situation. The only types of players we would get are players unhappy with their contract situation or locker room cancer. Those type players as skilled as they may be don't help this team. Barzal is happy playing for the Islanders and without Trotz/Lambert there to stymie his game he looks to be a perennial 80+ point player. He shouldn't be going anywhere.

 

[doublechili]

Assuming the first line continues to find success, it makes sense to try Barzal centering Duclair as a line 3 to see how it works out.

Duclair - Barzal - Holmstrom seems like it might be a complimentary combo. And we're saying "3C", but if those were Barzal's line mates the team would really have 3 pretty equal lines. Just give the extra ice time to the line that's hot at any given time.

 

[impaaaaaact]

Hutton

So having Barzal in the line up is a liability. Is that the new take?

Quite possibly our top points getter and a pivotal player come any playoff season when this team had some success in the playoffs and we want to trade the guy.

You want to know why we never have any good players? Because we frigging trade them!

Leddy, Eberle, Toews, now you want to trade Barzal?

What the F is wrong with everybody?

An unleashed Barzal gets 80 points last season +30 points playing hockey the right way and we want to let him go? The problem for Barzal was the systems he was required to play under the past 6 years not his ability. Under Roy him and the rest of the team will be fine performing up to their full potential.

yep, gotta trade Barzal because we beat the senators, penguins, and sabres lmao. could have lost any one of those games but we didn't and now it's time to part with our most dynamic player

 

[impaaaaaact]

Duclair - Barzal - Holmstrom seems like it might be a complimentary combo. And we're saying "3C", but if those were Barzal's line mates the team would really have 3 pretty equal lines. Just give the extra ice time to the line that's hot at any given time.

The issue there is that no one can take face-offs. I honestly don't hate playing Maclean with them... he was great as a winger last season, can take most of the draws which he is apparently incredible at now, can keep up with those two in terms of foot speed about as well as anyone else, and should be pretty sound defensively. Keep Engvall-Casey-Holmstrom together, that's a totally fine fourth line

 

[Throttle]

Hutton

yep, gotta trade Barzal because we beat the senators, penguins, and sabres lmao. could have lost any one of those games but we didn't and now it's time to part with our most dynamic player

But ya didn’t breat lowly Anaheim and Columbus with him…so, yeah, there’s something there.

Dynamic has equated to not much of anything, but everyone else is to blame for it.

In 2022, the Isles went 14-7-2 without Barzal to make the playoffs. Know what their record was when he returned?

In 2024, the lowly Isles are 3-1 without Barzal … so far.