This Islanders player deserves more national recognition

Since Mat Barzal won the Calder Trophy as a rookie in the 2017-18 season, he really hasn't been recognized as the top playmaker that he is. A couple of seasons mired by injury may have hurt his status, but he's still one of the Islanders' best players. Without much playoff experience to speak of, and certainly no Stanley Cups won, Barzal often gets left off some of the lists. But that shouldn't be enough to hold him back from ranking as a top player.

Mathew Barzal's Islanders career is one to be marveled

Since he was drafted 16th overall in the 2015 draft, Barzal has spent his career with the New York Islanders. Aside from two seasons where he missed much of the year due to injury, Barzal has been a steady 50+ point player. His ability to play on the wing or at center makes him a versatile player for the Isles.

When it comes to his stats with the Islanders, Barzal could see big milestones in the 2026-27 season, including moving into tenth place all-time in points for the Islanders. After an injury-plagued season in 2024-25, he showed that when he's healthy, Barzal can be one of the best players on the team. His 72 points last season were the highest on the Islanders, as were his 53 assists. When he's not hurt, Barzal can and does lead the Islanders in points, and often in assists.

Depending on where he slots into the lineup next year, Barzal could top last season's numbers (and the Islanders certainly hope he will). The NHL Fantasy Preview has him at an expected 66 points, down eight from last season. But much of this could depend on his spot in the lineup, either as a second-line center, as he played last season, or on the wing with Bo Horvat. If he's playing on Horvat's wing, he could see even more playmaking opportunities.

Barzal often doesn't get the recognition he deserves

Whether on the wing or at center, Barzal simply doesn't get the recognition he deserves for having been the Islanders' points leader for much of his career. After the 2025-26 season, the NHL Network released its Top 20 players at each position. Unsurprisingly, Barzal isn't on the list, but he should be.

When it comes to the Top 20 centers in the NHL, Barzal could at least slot in somewhere on the list. His 72 points were higher than many on the list, including Sam Bennett, the 20th overall centerman. When compared to Bennett in the regular season, Barzal beat him in assists and points, as well as average ice time and goals created. Of course, Barzal doesn't have the Conn Smythe Trophy, but the Islanders' playoff miss certainly isn't on him.

If he were ranked as a winger, which he has played on-and-off with the Islanders, his points total is also higher than many on the Top 20 list.

Compared to his 2015 fellow draftees, a stacked draft class that saw McDavid, Eichel, and Marner all drafted ahead of him, Barzal ranks highly in points and assists. He ranks eighth in total points, putting him ahead of players drafted ahead of him, like Timo Meier and Dylan Strome. In total assists, Barzal ranks sixth.

Playing on the Islanders may keep Barzal a bit out of the spotlight, but he shouldn't stay hidden.

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