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Islanders Top 25 Under 25: Mathew Barzal reigns supreme

By Michel Anderson

TORONTO, ONTARIO - AUGUST 20: Mathew Barzal #13 of the New York Islanders warms up prior to Game Five of the Eastern Conference First Round against the Washington Capitals during the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on August 20, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ONTARIO - AUGUST 20: Mathew Barzal #13 of the New York Islanders warms up prior to Game Five of the Eastern Conference First Round against the Washington Capitals during the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on August 20, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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New York Islanders
Mathew Barzal #13 of the New York Islanders (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

How would you rank the top 25 players in the New York Islanders system who are under the age of 25?

On average, the New York Islanders are one of the oldest teams in the NHL. With an average age of 28.27, only the Minnesota Wild (24.42) and Detroit Red Wings (28.68) are “older” than the Islanders.

It’s a narrative we heard throughout the playoffs and certainly one we won’t hear the end of anytime soon. So with that in mind, I wanted to look at the youth in the Islanders system and create a sort of youth depth chart.

By youth, I’m focusing on any player under the age of 25. So that immediately removes guys like Ilya Sorokin, Anatoly Golyshev, and Grant Hutton, all three are 25 years old.

1. Mathew Barzal 

Age: 23
League: NHL
Draft: 16th OVR 2015

It’s incredible to think Mathew Barzal is only 23 years old. He’s only just completed his third year in the league but it feels like he’s been a dominant force for much longer.

Barzal is one of the better transition players in the league. His abilities with the puck are matched by few in the NHL. He’s a dynamic offensive player and he’s still getting better.

Yeah, there’s still another gear for Mathew Barzal to hit. Look out NHL.

2. Anthony Beauvillier

Age: 23
League: NHL
Draft: 28th OVR 2015

Anthony Beauvillier took a big step forward this season. In Beau’s first three seasons in the NHL, he struggled to put together a consistent effort with wild up-and-down swings. But this year Beau was perhaps one of the Islanders’ most consistent players.

That consistency had him put up a career-high 38 points in 68 games, putting him on pace for 46 points over a full 82 game season. Just like Barzal, Beau still has another gear he could hit.

3. Noah Dobson 

Age: 20
League: NHL
Draft: 12th OVR 2018

This is going to be Noah Dobson’s first full year in the NHL. He was limited to 34 games and an average of 13 minutes a night last year as Trotz tried to build the young blueliner’s confidence. Drafted 12th overall in 2018, big things are expected from Dobson.

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