Stefen Rosner Discusses Salary Cap Situation on Hockey Night in New York Mathew Barzal [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/features/mathew-barzal-new-york-islanders-bo-horvat-center-wing-production] will do anything the New York Islanders [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/latest-news/simon-homstrom-new-york-islanders-ross-johnston-salary-cap] ask of him if that means winning more games. After moving to right wing following the Bo Horvat [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/features/bo-horvat-new-york-islanders-vancouver-canucks-trade-lamoriello] acquisition ahead of the 2023 All-Star Game and spending the summer working from that side, it appears that Barzal's position is being changed again. When training camp opened up, Barzal was positioned on Horvat's right, and that was the expected positional alignment for the start of the season. But as training camp was winding down, Barzal played a lot on the left side and even did so in a few preseason games. It just seemed like the Islanders were seeing if Barzal could play that side effectively, and if so, then who is the better linemate for that top line? On Thursday, for the first time at practice, Barzal took line rushes on Horvat's left as Simon Holmstrom [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/latest-news/simon-homstrom-new-york-islanders-ross-johnston-salary-cap], a left-hander, skated at right wing, his natural position. After Thursday's practice, we learned that the flopping of the wingers on the Islanders' top line was Barzal's idea. "[The idea] just came sporadically. I was playing on the right a little bit, and then, we're in a preseason game. I find it tougher, to be honest, as a right-handed guy on the right wing," the right-handed left-winger said. "Our stick is always exposed to them. It's just a little different. "I just asked Laner if I could hop on the other side, and he said, 'Yeah, go ahead, switch it up.' Immediately, the move paid off for the Islanders. "I think, two shifts later, Holmstrom was on the right, and he zipped a pass over to Bo, who ended up burying," Barzal said. "And that was because we were on our off-sides and could make that play." "You just look at Panarin, Kane, and Pastrnak. I think those guys all tend to play their off-sides a little more dangerous," Barzal said. "So I'm hoping that it translates for me." The Hockey News asked if a primary reason the Islanders most dynamic playmaker made the switch was because he rather pass the puck on the forehand off the rush, rather than on the backend. "Well, it kind of helps my delay game, kind of helps my rush game because I'm still more dangerous on that side versus [the other side]," Barzail said. "You kind of get a little bit closed off on the other side, sticks on the wall. [On the left side, the stick is] in the middle. "You can get a little more creative. So that's really good." While the left side is starting to feel more natural, here's what feels the best for Barzal. "I think the thing that feels the best is that I get to cross over onto my backhand," Barzal said. "You ask any player, they're going to tell you that it's easier to cross over that way so that you can generate a little more speed coming off that side." Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAxNDQ4Nzk0Mjg4NTYzNzY1/barzalonwing.jpg] Now, Barzal playing on the left side of the ice isn't something brand new. Even when he played center, his skateboarding ability had him playing all over the ice. Although there are fewer defenders around him, Barzal's played in the left-wing spot on the Islanders top power-play unit, so that side of the ice isn't something foreign to him. "I've been working on my one-timer," Barzal said when asked about the power play. If he sticks on Horvat's left, that one-time shot will undoubtedly come in handy, whether on odd-man rushes or while Islanders are cycling the offensive zone. After the New Jersey Devils preseason game in Jersey, Barzal shared how changing from center to the wing position fits his game better: Before we were done speaking with Mat, he was asked about Holmstrom. He mentioned earlier how Holmstrom was a stronger player on the right, so this positional swap helps both of them. "I remember being in Vancouver when he got drafted and being up on stage, which is funny now. He came in and just looked young," Barzal said. "And seeing him now, he's got some size to him, and he's gonna catch some people off guard with how skilled he is. "When he lays into guys on the ice, his puck protection is maybe the best on our team at times." More on Holmstrom coming Friday morning as I sat down with him after practice to discuss hitting the net more consistently and what it's like skating on that top line, so stay tuned for that. Islanders head coach Lane Lambert has the final say in terms of his lineup, but when players bring something to his attention, especially his most dynamic player, you listen. "You rely on their feedback. That doesn't always mean that that's the way it goes," Lambert said. "But certainly, the way he attacks and how he's dangerous is potentially more conducive on the left side." Barzal signed an eight-year extension worth $9.15 million annually before the start of the 2022-23 season to be the Islanders' No. 1 centerman for the foreseeable future. With Horvat signing an eight-year deal worth $8.75 million upon his arrival, the Islanders have a dynamic duo locked up through 2030-31. If Barzal does stick on the left wing, the Islanders' focus shifts to finding a right winger for that line if Holmstrom shows not to be the best piece to that puzzle.
