Mathew Barzal has taken huge steps in his career to become one of prominent players, not just for the Islanders but in the entire NHL.
From his Calder Trophy winning rookie campaign to his wonderful performance in the bubble postseason this past summer, Barzal’s game and reputation has continued to grow.
For one future NHLer, Phil Tomasino, he sees the 23-year old Barzal as the model for the kind of player he wants to be.
He’s so smooth with the puck and makes plays,†the Nashville Predators 24th overall pick from 2019 told TSN.ca. “He’s great defensively and an all-around player as well so he’s kind of the guy I try to be like.â€
Barzal has made tremendous strides defensively as Tomasino referred to, thanks in large part to head coach Barry Trotz. Trotz’s defensive system he’s implemented since taking over behind the Islanders’ bench two years ago has helped turned the team into one of the stingiest defensive teams in the league. That dynamic is akin to the one of when Trotz was at his prior coaching gig when he was with the Washington Capitals and dealing with another superstar, Alex Ovechkin.
â€I watched almost every Islanders game this year and seeing the way he skates, the way he moves the puck, I see a little bit of myself in him. Hopefully, I get the chance to be as good as him one day,†Tomasino added.
Barzal is still young enough to where he hasn’t even reached his peak from a defensive standpoint. Skating, his most lethal weapon, has drawn comparisons to some of the best in the league, which Tomasino would like to also emulate.
Said Tomasino: “The way he’s able to skate by guys up the ice, he’s probably the best in the League at it other than probably [Connor] McDavid.â€
That’s some pretty elite company to be put in. But it shouldn’t come as a shock. Barzal is a superstar in the making.
“He’s incredible and such a smooth skater … He’s an incredible all-around player. You watch him on the back check and he’s always stripping guys and stuff like that so just a great player and I love watching him,†Tomasino concluded.
Tomasino will hopefully be in the NHL soon enough. The Predators have high hopes for him after watching his dominance in juniors which included a 100-point season in 62 games this past year for the Oshawa Generals.
When he does finally get the call, it will be fun to see Tomasino try and mirror Barzal.
He won’t be the first, and certainly won’t be the last.