The New York Islanders signed Mathew Barzal to a three-year, entry-level contract on Thursday.
GM Garth Snow selected Barzal with the 16th overall pick of the 2015 NHL Draft.
He scored 57 points in 44 games with the WHL’s Seattle Thunderbirds in 2014-15, turning heads with his combination of speed and skill.
Lighthouse Hockey postulates that the Islanders would not have traded Griffin Reinhart if they didn’t land Barzal. Even so, they don’t expect him to make the Islanders’ roster in 2015-16.
The 18-year-old has time to mature, yet some Isles fans may already be giddy picturing how he could add to a group that is already bursting with prime-age talent.
Dream come true to have signed an NHL contract today with the @NYIslanders !!! pic.twitter.com/XTA3u4YG6x
— Mat Barzal (@Barzal_97) September 10, 2015
You can read more about Barzal in this PHT profile.