Yeah, I agree it's still a young season. However, when I'm watching games I don't feel like they have really been controlling any of them and are just getting unlucky. This doesn't feel like a "keep doing what your doing and the wins will come" situation. This feels like something has to change or these losses are going to pile up.
he has not progressed offensively since he has been here and just got paid very well. if we can get picks and prospects for him, its not a bad move either. he is also a big issue on the PP.
Yeah I don't think your assessment on him is wrong, I just think we have a different interpretation of who he is as a player. He's doesn't have the hands or can finish like Hughes and he's not/nor ever will be a consistent goal scorer. With that said he can skate like the devil and is strong on the puck. Sure, he holds onto to it too long but it's not like he has anyone to dish it to. When he was playing with Lee and Eberle it wasn't as much of a problem and I wouldn't even consider them ideal considering they were playing in an uber defensive system. I will never forget him taking over the third period of game 6 against Tampa trailing by a goal. And who did he dish it to to tie it up with a perfect snipe? Scott Mayfield! Imagine him with a bona fide scorer on his wing. Again, he wasn't a problem back then because he at least had pieces around him that were there to do specifically what complements his game- score goals.
Barzal is basically untradeable because of his contract, as is most of this team. Lou has dug this team a hole so deep with his giving away of contracts, there are no trades to be made. No team is going to give up anything for any of the Islanders players because their contracts make them negative value players. I'm sure Arizona would gladly take Barzal for a 3rd if the point is to get rid for any price, but the signal it would send throughout the league is terrifying.
None taken. It’s a certainly a hot take, and I think everyone is entitled to their opinion. I’m just done with the delusion and rose tinted glasses over this roster and direction of the team.
I agree the direction is bad but I also agree we need more Barzal-like talent not less of it. Trading our only talented pieces and rebuilding is not entirely a guaranteed path to success and I don't ever see these owners doing it with the amount of money they are spending in the area in retail, they want fans in seats at (mostly) all costs. I could see them removing Lou (because they have to) at the END of the season and (hopefully) hiring someone like Tulsky or Darche if they are smart to go in a modern approach focused on younger offensively inclined talent.
Stylistically they're pretty similar. Statistically after 7 years in the NHL they're on similar paces, and after 7 years the Rangers were frustrated enough with Kovalev to trade him to Pittsburgh, a division rival.
Then stop holding onto the puck like he's trying to take it home with him, send it into a corner, and cycle.
You need to take a square peg like Barzal and turn him into a useful player. On the Islanders he doesn't fit the other players around him. So cash in on him while you still can. The idea that the team can "sunset" the players around him who don't fit that style and start retooling towards that direction will take years to accomplish. By the time the Isles have that kind of team Barzal will be on the wrong side of 30 and well over 10 years in the NHL. Barzal is a wasted asset on the Islanders.
Generally, when players see that their other options aren’t that hot, they take it upon themselves to do it, ie go to the net or shoot the puck.
Fair point. I do notice body language. Barzal throws his head back and visibly mutters to himself when things go bad for him.
Horvat isn't high end enough for Barzal?
Once Barzal stops and curls around and ends up on one of the cirlces looking for the pass option he's either going to pass it to a teammate or get forced into a turnover. Re-starting towards the net won't happen as he'll already be covered by the defense.
