Mathew Barzal Is Much More of a Plus than a Minus for the New York Islanders

New York Islanders' forward Mathew Barzal could be a top-line forward on any team. He has the right combination of skills and vision, allowing him to become one of the league's best playmakers. With the right teammates, Barzal could top 100 points this upcoming season.

Mathew Barzal on the Minus Side

The biggest criticism of Barzal has been his pass-first mentality. Analysts have questioned Barzal’s low goal totals. The contention is that if Barzal shot more often, he would have a higher goal total.

That assertion makes sense. Last season, Barzal’s shooting percentage was 9.6%. That’s not bad. But it’s actually low compared to his career average of 10.7%. His highest shooting percentage came in his rookie campaign where he registered a 12.9%.

Assuming Barzal continues scoring at a 10% rate, shooting more often could easily translate into a 30-goal season.

The other noticeable flaw in Barzal’s game is his relatively low faceoff percentage. Last year, Barzal notched a 43% faceoff percentage. That number isn’t a significant drawback, considering that Barzal isn’t a center.

Lastly, Barzal was a minus-4 last season. That’s an area that needs to improve, especially since the Isles don’t have the firepower to overwhelm opponents in high-scoring games.

The Verdict

Mathew Barzal is the New York Islanders’ most talented forward. He’s the engine that drives the team’s top line. With two legitimate top-line partners, Barzal is poised for a big season.

In my estimation, Barzal could easily top 80 points. But it wouldn’t be a stretch to visualize 100 points on the horizon.

Mathew Barzal on the Minus Side

The Verdict

Schedule