I’ll give ya Lee with his pts production, albeit, he’s a major factor to the PP net presence. But, Barzal is an elite skater and it seems like he’s trying to do too much because he’s really not gelling with anyone.
- kindlyrick

If Wahlstrom continues to progress he easily could be that other finisher that Barzal needs on his wing. He had Eberle too... and while I would love a top 10 sniper wing no this team like a Kuch, Panarin, etc... there just isn't a lot of them around.. they drafted both Bellows and Wahlstrom hoping one of them would be that guy.

He is a playoff performer, so there's that. But I agree...when he's on, he's on, but he's just a non-factor on way too many nights. It's not even that he's noticeably bad, he just doesn't make any kind of impact at all for really long stretches.
- UIF

In my opinion, he is almost always first on the puck on the forecheck forcing the opposition to make a play with the puck and causing TO's. There are plays that don't get you an assist or goal but it helps start the play. Kid hustles his ass off every shift. Good player. Plays ~ 15 minutes a night so I guess Lane likes what he brings.

https://www.nhl.com/player/brad-marchand-8473419 just want to point out that a lot of guy don't become their full potential until they are in their late 20's.

In my opinion, he is almost always first on the puck on the forecheck forcing the opposition to make a play with the puck and causing TO's. There are plays that don't get you an assist or goal but it helps start the play. Kid hustles his ass off every shift. Good player. Plays ~ 15 minutes a night so I guess Lane likes what he brings.
- nyisles7

Amen.. was killing penalties last night too.

Travis Flynn @NDRedEagle
1m
Replying to @AGrossNewsday
Dobson's eleven regular season 5v5 goals since 12/1/21 is as many as Mo Seider (2) and Cale Makar (9) combined.

Or Letang (6), Kilngberg (3), Doughty (2).
- eichiefs9

Kids a beast with so much more to bring as he matures. I love the Romanov pairing as well with him. They seem to get better and better each game.

Its comical. Almost as comical as Barzal's contract is too high it should have been 8.5 Million vs 9? Barzal's contract is going to be bargain in 3 years.
- nyisles7

HIs "Monster Contract" doesn't start until next year too... This year he is making $7 mill and had over a point a game.

Amen.. was killing penalties last night too.
- niteislander

The girls club will hear you!

Amen.. was killing penalties last night too.
- niteislander

He is a solid 3rd liner

In an ideal situation Lou pulls off a monster trade for a legit 1C and moves Barzal to wing. you can see Lane moving him to wing a few times a game already almost like he is preparing him for the inevitable now that the contract is done. His game translates to that legit Wing we all have been asking about.. now we just need the 1C.

HIs "Monster Contract" doesn't start until next year too... This year he is making $7 mill and had over a point a game.
- niteislander

But they are only assists not goals.

He is a solid 3rd liner
- Vukota

According to you. Barry and Lane now has him in the top 6 sooooo.....you're right and they are wrong?

This is correct on two accounts. First, a player making the kind of money Barzal is making needs to be the player that leads them on the ice. Elite players find a way to get it done and on a consistent basis. That is the difference between good and elite. "Consistency"

Secondly, you cannot keep surrounding him with zamboni drivers and expect to get Patrick Kane's or OV's. Management needs to legitimately step up.
- Nfdbulldawg

Barzal will score but in the meantime he's setting everyone else up and half of the goals scored off his passes wouldn't be goals without him setting it all up like ahos

He is a solid 3rd liner
- Vukota

not sure I would break up him and Brock given their success so far.. and the PPP lines seems to be working pretty well.

Kids a beast with so much more to bring as he matures. I love the Romanov pairing as well with him. They seem to get better and better each game.
- nyisles7

They are both playing this well at a really young age.. just going to get better.

Barzal will score but in the meantime he's setting everyone else up and half of the goals scored off his passes wouldn't be goals without him setting it all up like ahos
- Upstate_isles

I remember a guy named Adam Oates made a living dishing the puck.

Should we trade one for cap space?
- nyisles7

Vegas needs a goalie how about straight up for marchesault

So you looked at all those incredibly positive stats and found the one negative one to harp on? Shots on goal if they are from the outside with no one in front of the net don't mean sht in the NHL. We have done for the most part a good job of keeping the crease clear and limiting odd man rushes and high danger chances. THAT is what's important... not shots.
- niteislander

Yea cause defense wins championships and giving up shots in the postseason isn't a recipe for success. They need to tighten up in their own end and and slow down the opposition in the neutral zone. They get a ton of chances but it comes at a cost and that's chances against, I think they will improve in this area as the year goes on.

In an ideal situation Lou pulls off a monster trade for a legit 1C and moves Barzal to wing. you can see Lane moving him to wing a few times a game already almost like he is preparing him for the inevitable now that the contract is done. His game translates to that legit Wing we all have been asking about.. now we just need the 1C.
- niteislander

I don't understand this. How is he better suited for wing? The guys is averaging a point per game and hasn't scored a goal yet, that's insane!! He is great with the puck and skates circles around everybody. He is your prototypical center IMO. When the season ends he'll be sitting around 20 goals or so. I think moving him to the wing would be a big mistake

I remember a guy named Adam Oates made a living dishing the puck.
- nyisles7

Yep pretty good player too bad wally isn't hull. Barzal set wally up point blank last night and stone hands flubbed it again

Vegas needs a goalie how about straight up for marchesault
- maximumcarnage

They do?

https://www.nhl.com/stats...erGame&page=0&pageSize=50

I don't understand this. How is he better suited for wing? The guys is averaging a point per game and hasn't scored a goal yet, that's insane!! He is great with the puck and skates circles around everybody. He is your prototypical center IMO. When the season ends he'll be sitting around 20 goals or so. I think moving him to the wing would be a big mistake
- Vukota

I'm not pushing for it, but I don't think it would be a mistake at all.

He stinks on the draw (35.5% so far this year ) and he's not exactly a defensive wizard. Moving to wing would take some of the defensive responsibility out of the game.

If they somehow (I know it won't happen) found a way to acquire a real good center like Horvat, I'd move Barzal to wing without thinking twice

I don't understand this. How is he better suited for wing? The guys is averaging a point per game and hasn't scored a goal yet, that's insane!! He is great with the puck and skates circles around everybody. He is your prototypical center IMO. When the season ends he'll be sitting around 20 goals or so. I think moving him to the wing would be a big mistake
- Vukota

He is absolutely a 1c and the goals will come, Lane likes to run him out with the 4th line at times to get more offensive production especially when he gets in the zone like he does some games. Having Dobson able to rip it (and hit the net although not at 105mph) has made the pp much more formidable. Should add Brock ripping it on the side and Lee in front has really jump started it too but it mostly hinges on 13s set ups

Only untouchables as far as I'm concerned is Barzal, Dobson, Pelech & Sororkin. Everybody else should be available if the trade makes sense for the Isles.

I don't know man, he has been scratched twice already in the first 17 games. I don't think he is a lock to stay in the lineup like he was under Barry. Not saying he will be the first to be dealt but I wouldn't exactly rule it out either.
- Vukota

Nobody is taking Bailey. If there anybody that wanted him he would’ve been gone already.

not sure I would break up him and Brock given their success so far.. and the PPP lines seems to be working pretty well.
- niteislander

He is pretty much a top 6 forward on this team by default. The way he plays he is better suited for the 3rd line, hustles his arse off and like you said is flying all over the place can kill penalties but he really isn't a finisher. Wouldn't you say that's what a solid 3rd liner does? I get why he plays top 6 on this team but if they bought in a legit top 6 forward I would think Beau would be the one pushed down, him or Bailey if they were still both on the team.

Barzal is a zone exit and entry monster like top of the league as well as possesion that tires the d out. I don't understand the hate for him