Mat Barzal will solidify his Islanders legacy with this honor this season

For the past decade, no one has made more of an impact on the Islanders than Matthew Barzal. The 16th overall pick of the 2015 draft has exceeded every expectation analysts and fans had for him and has established himself as one of the faces of the franchise. Over his career, he has racked up 153 goals and 381 assists for 534 points. He is also quickly approaching a new milestone, as he should finish the year inside the Isles' top ten career point-getters. This will turn Barzal from a great player to a legend of the franchise.

Entering the top 10 in point will turn Mathew Barzal into a legend

Currently, he is 15 points behind Andres Lee for 10th place. But with Lee departing for Utah this offseason, it shouldn't be too tall a task. As long as Barzal is healthy and plays the way he has throughout his career, he should jump him on the list before Christmas. From there, if he plays to his career averages, he should finish the season in seventh and closing in quickly on Brent Sutter. At this rate, it will not be long until he's closing in on the top three.

This will be the last thing Barzal needs to solidify himself as a franchise icon. He has had great regular seasons, constantly producing over 60 points when he is healthy. As well as a Calder Trophy and multiple All-Star Game appearances. He was also a big part of the Islanders' back-to-back runs to the conference finals. He racked up 31 points between the two runs. Without his performance, the Islanders likely would not have come anywhere close to the conference finals.

But most importantly, he will be known as the guy who became a superstar when the franchise needed one. When John Tavares left for Toronto back in the summer of 2018, it left a major hole on the roster. One that the Islanders hoped Barzal would fill as they made him the top-line center at 21 years old. Sure, he was coming off a Calder-winning season, but that's still a big ask. Barzal did not let the pressure get to him and played very well in that spot. Making the departure of Tavares not as bad.

This will be the main part of Barzal's legacy. When his career is all set and done, the first thing people will talk about is how he replaced a great player like Tavares and turned into one of the best players for the Islanders. Having him inside the Islanders' top ten list for points will only make his rise even more impressive. It is the type of career story you only hear about in movies. One that every Islanders fan will know by heart.

While Barzal already has a place in Islander lore, entering the top-ten point list will be the cherry on top. It will be one of the crowning achievements of a very successful career.

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