Mathew Barzal —
Winnipeg Hockey Talk’s evaluations of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft top prospects continue today with our featured prospect Mathew Barzal.
League: WHL Team: Seattle Thunderbirds
Position: C Shoots: Right
DOB: May 26, 1997 Birthplace: Coquitlam, BC
Height: 6’0 Weight: 180
2014-15 WHL Stats: Regular season
Games: 44 G: 12 A: 45 Pts: 57 PIM: 20 Plus/Minus: +13
2014-15 WHL Stats: Playoffs
Games: 6 G: 4 A: 4 Pts: 8 PIM: 8 Plus/Minus: +2
Mathew Barzal played this past season in the WHL for the Seattle Thunderbirds.
Achievements:
1. Selected 1st overall in the 1st round by the Seattle Thunderbirds in the 2012 WHL Bantam Draft.
2. Represented Canada and won a Gold Medal at the 2014-15 U18 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament .
3. Represented Canada and won a Bronze Medal at the 2013-14 and 2014-15 U18 WJC.
4. Played for Team Orr at the 2014-15 CHL Top Prospects game.
Offensive Buzzwords
Mathew Barzal is a highly skilled offensive center. He has good hands, very good on-ice vision and has a knack for finding open teammates. Barzal has a better than average shot that is probably under-utilized.
Skating
Mathew Barzal is a very good skater with better than average speed. He has very good balance and agility and can make plays while at top speed.
#14 Mathew Barzal: video from the U18 WJC – 5:16
Defensive Buzzwords
Mathew Barzal has a decent but not great defensive game that will need a little work as he moves up to the pro-level.
Prospect Analysis
From Cody Nickolet: website – whlfromabove
overall I see Barzal as a potential solid number two center at the NHL level with his lack of defensive value, size and strength holding him back from reaching that true number one status … I think he will be an electric offensive guy but might need to be sheltered away from bigger lines at that next level, stopping me from classifying him as that “true #1” type of center
Comparable
Brad Richards when he was with the Tampa Lightning.
Mathew Barzal is a 1st round selection for sure. He projects a Top 2 centerman that could play on a teams powerplay and in all offensive situations. Barzal plays a solid two-way game that is still improving. Like a lot of eighteen-year-olds he will need to bulk up a bit to be able to physically compete better against men at the NHL level.
Projected: #12 – #16
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I watched him play at the U18 WJC and was impressed by his skating and passing skills. I wonder if he’s on the Jet’s radar in the draft? I would be happy with him or Merkley.