Barzal ready to take next step with Islanders

EAST MEADOW, N.Y. --Center Mathew Barzal admitted he was in awe during his brief NHL experience with the New York Islanders last season.
"Last year, I was maybe a little star-struck sometimes playing against [Nicklas] Backstrom and [Alex] Ovechkin and those guys," Barzal said. "This year, I just want to hopefully come in and not kind of feel that, just feel like I belong and that I can really play with those guys."

Barzal, 20, one of two first-round picks (No. 16) by the Islanders in the 2015 NHL Draft, played two games with New York before he was sent back to Seattle of the Western Hockey League.
"It was unbelievable," said Barzal, who was held without a point in those two NHL games. "Just seeing these guys every day, meeting all the players and getting to know them, they're all such great guys. They work so hard. They're here for a reason, and I got to see what it takes day in and day out."
In hindsight, it appears sending Barzal back to the junior level was the right move; he had 79 points (10 goals, 69 assists) in 41 regular-season games and 25 points (seven goals, 18 assists) in 16 playoff games, helping Seattle to the WHL championship. He was also named WHL Playoff MVP.
"That was a good year, learning how to win, winning a WHL championship," Barzal said. "Going on a long playoff run, withstanding the grind … it was great for my confidence and for what's to come in the future, hopefully.
"Obviously at first, it was tough going back. Not playing and that kind of stuff, I don't think that's good for development. They thought the same thing. I thought I made the most of my year in Seattle. I had a really good year team-wise and individually, so I was happy with how things went."

Unlike his previous two training camps with the Islanders, Barzal will be trying to impress a different boss. Doug Weight replaced Jack Capuano as coach on Jan. 17 and guided New York to a record of 24-12-4 over its final 40 games. Weight has since hired Luke Richardson, Scott Gomez and Kelly Buchberger as assistants.
"It's pretty cool to see some of these new coaches," Barzal said. "Dougie was a really skilled forward. I think he's helped me a lot since he's been here. Scott Gomez is already trying to push me and help me with little things, so it's pretty cool to meet these new guys and obviously some great coaches."
Barzal wasn't sent back to Seattle until Nov. 9. Despite playing two games for the Islanders, he spent more than a month at the NHL level, and a lot of that time with Weight.
"When I'd be scratched or something, we'd be working on stuff after practice," Barzal said. "I'd work on skills, and he'd be out [on the ice] with me, helping me shoot, stickhandling and stuff. We have a pretty good relationship. I think he can really help me."
Barzal will play professionally this season with either the Islanders or Bridgeport of the American Hockey League. He's hoping his experience with Seattle last season will benefit him.
"Whether I'm with the Islanders or whether I'm with Bridgeport, you always want to go on a playoff run and go deep," said Barzal, who finished with 278 points (63 goals, 215 assists) in 202 games for Seattle. "I felt like I got that experience. I kind of now know what it takes to win a championship."