Mathew Barzal Emerges as Potential Trade Target for Islanders
The New York Islanders had a challenging 2024-25 season. Despite expectations to contend for a playoff spot, Mathew Barzal and the team found themselves struggling near the bottom of the Eastern Conference for much of the year. While they did manage to make a playoff push, their performance fell short of their ultimate goals.
However, there is a silver lining for the Islanders: they won the 2025 NHL Draft Lottery, securing the first overall pick. This presents an opportunity to add a potential superstar prospect to the roster. At the same time, the Islanders could look to make some changes, including potentially trading away some of their established stars.
With Mathieu Darche now serving as the Islanders’ general manager, there’s a possibility that the team could undergo some restructuring. According to Matt Larkin, a senior writer for Daily Faceoff, Barzal could be one of the players on the trade block.
“Barzal’s prime is ticking away,” Larkin wrote. “The Islanders haven’t advanced past the first round of the playoffs since 2020-21. In recent years, whether due to the team’s conservative style, injuries, or a combination of both, he has struggled to reach his potential.”
Larkin believes Barzal, despite recent challenges, is still a highly skilled player, particularly as a skater and puck handler. At 27, he still has the potential to be a star in the right environment that allows him to play a more dynamic style of hockey.
Why Trading Barzal Could Make Sense for the Islanders
The Islanders find themselves in a unique position with the No. 1 pick in the upcoming draft. While defenseman Matthew Schaefer is widely regarded as the best player in the class, forwards like Michael Misa, James Hagens, and Porter Martone are also considered strong candidates. This uncertainty about the “clear-cut” top pick could make the Islanders consider trading their first overall selection in exchange for a significant return and help reshape their roster.
However, Larkin argues that the Islanders could achieve a similar goal by keeping the first pick and trading Barzal instead. Given Barzal’s talent and his $9.15 million cap hit—manageable in a rising salary cap environment—he could fetch a substantial return. Larkin sees a potential rebuild opportunity for the Islanders, with Barzal’s trade offering a chance to add valuable assets.
Barzal Reflects on Injury Struggles in 2024-25
Barzal’s 2024-25 season was marred by injuries. He played in just 30 regular-season games and missed the final 10 weeks of the campaign. During that stretch, the Islanders struggled, losing 11 of their last 14 games.
The absence weighed heavily on Barzal, who expressed how difficult it was to miss out on team moments, particularly during the road trips. The forward admitted that not being able to contribute physically took a significant mental toll on him.
“You miss so many moments,” Barzal told New York Post reporter Ethan Sears. “Boys come back from the road, talking about the trip, having a big win. There’s nothing better than going on the road and winning a game. Just not being able to be a part of that stuff, it killed me. I’m not sugarcoating it. It was horrible mentally.”
As Barzal looks ahead to the 2025-26 season, he’s hopeful for a full recovery and a fresh start. Whether that means returning to the Islanders or joining a new team remains uncertain. However, he’s focused on regaining his health and returning to his elite form—whichever city he calls home next season.
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