New York Islanders Send Mathew Barzal Back to Seattle

The New York Islanders sure took their time to decide on the immediate future of Mathew Barzal. But just because he isn’t in Brooklyn this year doesn’t mean it’s over.

The New York Islanders have sent first-round and fifteenth overall pick from the 2015 NHL Entry Draft Mathew Barzal back to the Seattle Thunderbirds of the WHL.

It took a while, but the decision has finally been made. Barzal was originally included in the team’s active roster to start the season and much was expected. Much was hyped.

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But on Barzal’s end, not much was delivered. He didn’t get much of an outing in the Blue and Orange, but the team still gave him a look. He just didn’t give the team what they were looking for.

So back to Seattle he goes. Where he can dominate once again.

This Isn’t the End of the Line

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This isn’t the end for Barzal. He didn’t do enough for the powers that be to deserve to stay with the team this season. But just to quantify how this isn’t the end, I want to draw a comparison between Barzal and Mark Scheifele from the Winnipeg Jets.

Much was expected from Scheifele when he was drafted seventh overall in the 2011 NHL Entry draft. By 19 it was expected he would make a Winnipeg squad that could use exciting young prospects.

But the Jets sent Scheifele back to the OHL. Disappointed was the word around Jets fan bases.

The following year at the tender age of 20, Scheifele made the team and hasn’t looked back since. Now, he’s leading the NHL in points. Sure, he’s playing with Patrik Laine. But he’s been scoring and producing long before Laine ever showed up.

In the two years before Laine, Scheifele has 110 points. Sending him down to the OHL for an extra year seems to have worked in the Jets favor. (Even if you don’t consider Laine’s addition to the team).

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Barzal will be back that’s for sure. The Islanders figure that another year in the minors will do Barzal some good. Maybe even mature a bit more and come back even better. That’s the hope at least.