Mathew Barzal’s return to center shakes up the New York Islanders’ lineup. Will this move unlock the team’s offensive potential or disrupt their chemistry?
Host Gil Martin analyzes the ripple effects of Barzal’s position change, including its impact on top prospect Cal Ritchie and the team’s overall strategy. The discussion covers the Islanders’ recent draft pick Tomas Politin, exploring his potential as a future fan favorite and fit within Patrick Roy’s system. Martin also celebrates Nikolai Kulemin’s birthday, highlighting the former Islander’s memorable performances.
Tune in for expert insights on the Islanders’ evolving roster and how these changes could shape their upcoming season.
All this and more on today’s Locked On Islanders Podcast with Gil Martin.
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23 Comments
If Barzel goes back to center he has to man up on face-offs. He can’t do his swipe technique anymore. You’re a man dude put your nose in there. Center is his natural position, and he is filling out physically which should help. It’s all on the wings, this team is only going as far as the wing take them. They need everyone playing their best or higher. Matt’s 28 years old he has yet to really develop or reach his capabilities.He flat out needs to attack the net, staying on the perimeter isn’t working dude. I think he realizes this to an extent. He needs to drive into the paint between the dots. Engage instead of peeling off, he can dangle and stickhandle. He is a man now so let’s see if he has the intestinal fortitude to get into the high danger areas and stop the ice capades routine!
They should keep Barzal and Horvat together. But making up a lineup is fluid.
I can't imagine Duclair on the second line to start the seaon
I'll never understand some of Roy's thinking. I wasn't a fan of Roy's last year, I guess he deserves a chance with his assistants.
Barzy should play wing. Richie should be a center on some line.
Ritchie starts in the AHL, and when injuries hit and he has time to further develop, will get the call.
I would try to trade pageau and cizikas asap. Duclair should be on the 1st line with barzal and horvat.
lines-
-10 13 drouin
-21 14 27
-shab 44 7
-heineman 53 16
possible-ritchie
11, 18 clear waivers sent to ahl.
d pairs-
-3 6
-4 28
-24 34
goal-30 40
Barzal Bo Drouin
Lee Richie Palms
Shab JG Homie
Sippy Zeek Heineman
Waive Duke and Engvall
Putting Barzal back to center after he had his best season since his rookie year in 2023-2024 is just laughable. And Horvat looked noticeably worse without Barzal on his wing last year most of the season. Isles will do isles things tho!
If I’m coach I’m putting in Ritchie. I’m also putting in Shabinov on top line. I’m telling them don’t worry about mistakes just learn and show us what you got for next 10 games.we are rebuilding It doesn’t matter anyhow this year. As coach I want to know if you can hang or not & I want to know ASAP. If you can’t we got holes to fill before all these kids jump in next year.
Islanders have to many forwards! The softball players that dance around need not apply! Duclair , Engvall, and Kyle McLean need a one way Ticket off the Island! We need size, skill, speed, youth, and crash 💥! I don’t like these lines that people are projecting! Don’t want to watch Disney on ice again this season! Not playing any of the 3 softies mentioned over Gatcomb! Don’t want Lou 2.0 players watching the puck or a player go by without hitting that opponent! You make the other team leave the building exhausted and sore! This team has been to soft for to long! You can’t play slow old players together! The idea of Drouin , Palms , and Horvat will be a nightmare! No speed! No Size! No Bang! Declining skills! Roy had better inject youth , speed, and size on every line! Drouin was brought in to help the PP! He is constantly hurt and lacks speed and Bang! He will be helpful on the PP but if you don’t have speed and youth on the right side of Horvat it will be an unproductive line. Not sure is Horvat is even a 1 c! More like a 2 C! Could go on for ever about the horrible line projections . Moves still need to be made to clear out Duclair, Engvall, and Kyle McLean not playing any of these guys over Ritchie! We need to move on from softball players! There are better line combinations! Stop 🛑 putting the 30 plus club on the first line thinking it will get the job done! It will not get the job Done! You don’t sign the 2 Russians to play 4 th line ! You give even distribution of ice time as best as possible 5 on 5 to all lines. Heineman, Zeeks Gatcomb is your 4 th line unless you are trading Zeeks! JGP should be playing the 3 C with the 2 Russian assets! Horvat and Drouin should be playing with Holmstrom! Leaving Barzal to play with Lee and Palms! Ritchie likely starts in Bridgeport. Obviously if no chemistry emerges then lines should be tweaked! You don’t sign the 24 year old Russian to play Duclair unless the Russian is totally outplayed by Duke! Again i see no value in Duclair, Engvall, or McLean taking roster spots from younger players with more upside who just need to be given an honest chance to adapt and succeed. Darche can’t be done but the possible deals would likely consist of current players for draft picks or prospects. You will always need spares for the normal injury train. Schaefer either makes the team or goes to College! He has his mind set on making the Team…. If no trade is made on the d side and Schaefer does make the team. He should be second line with Pulock. Romy and Tony D as top pair. Pelech, Mayfield/Boqvist bottom pair. Still see deals coming…. So nothing is written in stone! Obviously if Barzal has chemistry with Max Shabby then Lee can slide to 2nd or 3 rd line Lw! Drouin’s health will always be a concern as he is great when healthy but tends to not be durable. Time will tell but Roy Has to make better decisions or be fired! Not so keen on Roy’s thought process and he has to be careful with words and actions on and off the bench.
Good 🌄, Gil. How are you? I think keeping Barzy on wing wouldn't be such a bad idea😮. 4th Round pick, Tomas Politan from Prague. He's a great forechecker, and he can put the puck in the net. HAPPY 🎂, NIKOLAI KULIMAN. He scored 2 goals, one being a shorty abs a helper. Hear from you later, Gil. In the double chili game, I must say this. I understand Alan Bernstein, being a Islander fan ever since they came into the league, wanted to really wanted the Islanders to stick it to the Rangers, which they were doing, but he was wrong for going over Bill Torrey's head and going to PA Announcer and doing what he did, because it made Torrey look like the bad guy, especially when he tried to explain it to Fred Shero. Also, I 👀 Game 2 of the 1981 Preliminary Round with the Maple 🍁, and Dynamic Duo did a number on them. Now, LET'S GO, ISLANDERS
I don't get it, Ritchie may not play? This is a thing I'd expect from Lou and Barry back in the day. And Bridgeport is a dumpster fire.
Teams win in playoffs with hard nosed 200 ft centers.. i would trade barzal for one of them. Look at recent Cup winners. Ryan Oreilly with Blues, Barkov of course.. Look at Bruins since Bergeron retired.. It’s how you win.
Good morning team! Gil, I'm pretty sure the move for Barzal from wing to center is not a move written in stone. I don't have a problem with trying different positions between the players to see what happens. I liked Barzal on the wing. He and Horvat on the same line is pretty dangerous so I'm pretty sure it doesn't mean he won't be back on wing with Duclair hopefully on the other wing. I can see Ritchie on the same line with Palms and Lee, or Holmstrom replacing either Lee or Palms. Everyone, have a great day! See you all again tomorrow. Until then.. Let's Go Islanders!!
Barzal is a C. He doesn't shoot enough for wing and his speed is better used coming down the middle of the ice.
Center. Where he can use his speed in the middle of the ice. Never should have been shifted to wing.
barzal to me is in no way shape or form a winger
Changes need to be made. We need more goal production.LGI
Carolina, Minnesota, Winnipeg, and Detroit supposedly have considerable cap space if i'm not mistaken. I'd love to unload Lee and his $7 million but I think he has a no trade clause. To move Lee, Engval and Duclair would be a God send.
Maybe talking about Barzal at center is a psychological ploy to get Barzal to train a certain way and to get the other centers into a scrappy mood trying to win a position on the team for training camp. I don't know much about Roy's coaching style but he strikes me as possibly being a 'mind games' type of coach. He might even be pressuring the GM to prioritize trading for a winger.
I never saw Ritchie play, I wish guys could go through training camp before we make any decisions on players.