Player Discussion: Mathew Barzal

[Rehabguy]

Tavares was our #1 pick and was supposed to be the face of this franchise until he decided to dubiously leave the team. The team never got the assets in return it should have if he was traded instead. That’s partly why we the holes we have in our prospect pool but to blame Barzal our 15th pick and currently our best playmaking forward for any struggles this team may have is misplaced. He wasn’t our team's franchise player and shouldn’t shoulder that burden or blame. Right now he’s the team's most gifted offensive minded player. That’s it. The team needs more. Maybe we got that in Tsyplakov and Eiserman with time. The rest falls on Lou’s shoulders. He just needs to be smarter with deal making.

 

[Potvottier]

It feels like Barzal is holding the stick a bit too tight. He will loosen up. He is trying to learn to be more north and south, keeping it simple, and eliminating the high risk passes/stick-handling. It seems that ragging the puck and not shooting, are hard for him to transition from. I am sure that he will get better at it, as the season goes along.

We can't blame him for our scoring woes. The entire team is snake bitten, and we are outshooting our opponents handily. It makes me think that it is more of a system that needs changing. I do feel like he needs to be skating harder, and start rubbing guys out. Be a little bit physical... it wears on the opponents. But physicality is not his strength, so he should be buzzing around the perimeter.

I'd give him a 7 out of 10 so far.

 

[Throttle]

He’s 27, in his 8th season and has 500+ games played. Ummm…he ain’t struggling to change anything. This is what you got.

 

[Thrasymachus]

He’s 27, in his 8th season and has 500+ games played. Ummm…he ain’t struggling to change anything. This is what you got.

The problem is he needs better players around him. No coincidence he did so well his rookie year with Tavares as 1C.

 

[Throttle]

The problem is he needs better players around him. No coincidence he did so well his rookie year with Tavares as 1C.

Hahahaha. We are still on this argument? My lord.

 

[Thrasymachus]

Hahahaha. We are still on this argument? My lord.

I am not saying he is an amazing talent but he is a top six player. We don't have any other dynamic forwards to really take the attention away from Barzal. Thats all I am saying.

 

[warrior60]

The problem is he needs better players around him. No coincidence he did so well his rookie year with Tavares as 1C.

You could say that for every player in the NHL.

 

[Arsenalogist24]

I think I’d like to see this be the last year of Barzal on wing. This would make trading Nelson (and obligatory Palmeiri) or Pageau, if you find a buyer, easier on roster construction. Barzal and Horvat can each drive their own lines then

Can use UFA, Bridgeport to fill in wing spots 2025-26

 

[mm11]

#13 will be just fine. His 9 mil a year will be earned. Our friend throttle rattling cages. He told us so on barzal and he loves it! We all preferred a hot start. Didn't happen. Let's get back to work and win 2 in a row. Beat the rags. Would be nice to have a few 10 11 million dollar guys to play shiny with. We don't, that's the reality. Not an argument but facts.

 

[barz2]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1852372001094041949

 

[Mr Misunderstood]

So he traveled with the team to Buffalo without and injury and then got injured and went back to LI?

That seems strange.

 

[Throttle]

#13 will be just fine. His 9 mil a year will be earned. Our friend throttle rattling cages. He told us so on barzal and he loves it! We all preferred a hot start. Didn't happen. Let's get back to work and win 2 in a row. Beat the rags. Would be nice to have a few 10 11 million dollar guys to play shiny with. We don't, that's the reality. Not an argument but facts.

Just need $30M more worth of players to play with, that’ll do it.

I’m down $1500, so I’ll push $5000 to the middle - that usually works.

 

[mm11]

Just need $30M more worth of players to play with, that’ll do it.

I’m down $1500, so I’ll push $5000 to the middle - that usually works.

never said that brother. Kid still plays and produces close to point a game and has multiple playoff series wins and actually has NHL hardware to boot. Enjoy it while it lasts. Now with the kid hurt the team will play good. Am I right? All of a sudden the shooting percentages will revert back to the norm. LGI

 

[MJF]

never said that brother. Kid still plays and produces close to point a game and has multiple playoff series wins and actually has NHL hardware to boot. Enjoy it while it lasts. Now with the kid hurt the team will play good. Am I right? All of a sudden the shooting percentages will revert back to the norm. LGI

Maybe Barzal out will make Dobson stop missing the net at a Pulockian rate.

 

[Throttle]

never said that brother. Kid still plays and produces close to point a game and has multiple playoff series wins and actually has NHL hardware to boot. Enjoy it while it lasts. Now with the kid hurt the team will play good. Am I right? All of a sudden the shooting percentages will revert back to the norm. LGI

His hardware was playing behind JT on the Dougie Weight lotto express seven years ago. Might be time to go with that was an anomaly and he doesn’t play like that. He’s been ruined by Trotz, Lambert, and now Roy (that’s just another excuse).

 

[mm11]

curuoyw

His hardware was playing behind JT on the Dougie Weight lotto express seven years ago. Might be time to go with that was an anomaly and he doesn’t play like that. He’s been ruined by Trotz, Lambert, and now Roy (that’s just another excuse).

Cant take away hardware my brotha. Did win a bunch of playoff series without JT. Do understand what have you done for me lately though and yes agree it's been a miserable start for the young vet