Why NHL, Islanders Made Right Choice Sending Mathew Barzal To All-Star Event
Barzal was the right choice to head to the All-Star Game.
There's no question that New York Islanders forward Mathew Barzal deserved to be at the NHL's 2024 All-Star event in Toronto.
His first half of the season was electric, with 13 goals and 38 assists for 51 points in 48 games. He's on pace for 86 points, which would be a new career high.
But, there was another Islanders player who was having an amazing start to his season: defenseman Noah Dobson.
The 23-year-old currently leads the Islanders with 52 points in 49 games -- as a defenseman -- with six goals and 46 assists and will have his name part of the Norris Trophy conversation if he can keep this pace up in the second half.
Unlike Barzal, Dobson has never been to an All-Star Game in his five-year NHL career and couldn't have been doing more to punch a ticket to Toronto.
But the Islanders and the NHL decided to send Barzal, and here's why.
Forge the talent on the ice for a second.
Part of it is about Barzal and what he can do in the media.
Throughout the entirety of the weekend, Barzal had mics in his face, whether it was NHL Network, ESPN, or Sportsnet...you name it.
While Barzal discussed how much he enjoyed the weekend, he was often asked about his team and Patrick Roy's effect since coming aboard the week prior.
All Barzal did was cast a bright light on an organization that needed it, given what had transpired this season:
"I think the last five games, five to six games, have been probably five or six of my best games of my career."
"Even just [Roy's] message early on to our team and me personally just meant a lot, the things he spoke to me about. It's cliche, but you honestly want to run through a brick wall for him."
Words like this stirred up conversations across the entirety of the national networks about Barzal, the team, Roy, and the potential this group has to go on a run to make the playoffs.
Although dealing with the media can sometimes be a lot, Barzal is rather comfortable in that setting.
"I've been around cameras and whatnot for the last seven to eight years of my life, so you just try to be yourself," Barzal said after winning the All-Star Game with Team Matthews. "You try not to let it bug you or anything."
This is not to say that Dobson couldn't handle the bright lights and cameras, as he's been phenomenal in the room this season, but Dobson is a quiet leader while Barzal, especially since Roy has come aboard, has been outspoken, honest, and has just been oozing with positivity.
Yes, Barzal was voted to the All-Star Game before Lane Lambert was relieved of his duties, but again, the NHL, in part with the organization, needed to pick the player that would best represent the franchise in the media, too.
Now, onto the ice.
Dobson has tremendous talent, but Barzal, an offensive player with elite edge work, elite skating, and elite puck handling, had a much higher chance at putting on a show while donning the Islanders' crest.
And that Barzal did, losing the Fastest Skater Competition to Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid by 0.1 seconds.
For most of the Skills Competition, Barzal either sat in second or first place in points and could have finished in second if not for the mini nets during the obstacle course.
Then, in the All-Star Game, Barzal notched three assists to help Team Matthews' advance to the finals before No. 13 scored a goal with two assists in a 7-4 win to earn $1 million for their team.
It was an impressive week for Barzal in every facet, showing the world, through his words and actions, why he is among the best the NHL has to offer.
For Dobson, it was much-needed rest as he's played 25:59 per night with all the injuries to the backend, the second-most minutes per night in the entire NHL.
Barzal will remain in Toronto, missing Sunday's practice, as he'll wait for his teammates as the Islanders battle the Maple Leafs Monday night at 7 PM ET to kick off the second half of the NHL season, five points out of a wild-card spot and four points back of third place in the Metropolitan Division.
You can watch Rosner talk Islanders hockey on Hockey Night in New York with co-host Sean Cuthbert live Sunday nights at 8 PM ET during the season on Twitch, YouTube, Twitter & Facebook.