The New York Islanders have kept a pair of teenage forwards on their roster heading into the 2016-17 season and they intend to use them both...just not as the same time.
On Thursday, Anthony Beauvillier made his NHL debut against the New York Rangers. He finished the game with one assist, a plus-1 rating and two penalty minutes in 10:52 of ice time.
Now, the Islanders are taking Beauvillier out of the lineup to make room for another top prospect, Mathew Barzal.
Not only will Barzal play against the Capitals on Saturday, he’ll suit up at his natural position of center and also find himself on New York’s top power play unit, according to beat reporter Arthur Staple.
Barzal is a dynamic offensive talent that put up 88 points in 58 WHL contests with the Seattle Thunderbirds last season.
The 19-year-old was the team’s first round pick, 16th overall, in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.
As skilled as he is, expectations need to be managed:
Mathew Barzal making NHL debut tonight for #Isles. Says he has high expectations but doesn't expect to match Auston Mathews. "That's insane"
— Stephen Whyno (@SWhyno) October 15, 2016
Both rookies have one year of junior eligibility remaining, so it’s not impossible that one or both could be sent back over the next few weeks.