Islanders: NHL player has high praise for Mathew Barzal

Winnipeg Jets Mark Scheifele thinks that New York Islanders Mathew Barzal could eventually lead the league in scoring.

We know how special Mathew Barzal is. The New York Islanders center has been mesmerizing Isles fans since he made his debut in the league back in 2017-18. Winning the Calder Trophy that season, everyone outside of Long Island became acquainted with our star center.

Writing for the Players’ Tribune, Winnipeg Jets center Mark Scheifele gushed about Mathew Barzal as one of his favorite players to watch in the NHL.

Scheifele even thought that Barzal could eventually lead the league in scoring.

Hockey Nerd

Mark Scheifele is a hockey nerd. There’s no question about it. Scheifele spends most of his time either playing, watching, or even dreaming of hockey.

Asked about who he likes to watch, Scheifele brought up Mathew Barzal and had some pretty high praise for the Isles center.

Someone else who players can learn from is Mathew Barzal on Long Island. His point totals might not blow you away yet, but as far as controlling the game? Not sure there’s too many better out there. […] In a few years he’s going to be leading the league in scoring.

He also seems to like Josh Bailey, go to the 1:04 mark of this YouTube video from Sportsnet.

Barzal is clearly a skilled individual. His puck control is elite. His passing is elite. He’s one of the fastest skaters in the NHL. And his hockey IQ is off the charts. But “leading the league in scoring” isn’t something, I think, Barzal can do on his own.

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He’s going to need some elite-level help on the ice to get there. Right now, Barzal is surrounded by second-line-level talent. Players like Anders Lee, Jordan Eberle, Anthony Beauvillier, and Josh Bailey are good wingers, but none of them are bonafide top-line guys.

Maybe once Barzal gets some support he can do as Mark Scheifele thinks he can do, lead the league in scoring.