Barzal Reflects on Coaching Changes for Islanders
Mathew Barzal has seen quite a bit during his nearly decade-long NHL career with the Islanders. At just 28, he’s already played under five different head coaches.
Jack Capuano was dismissed mid-season after driving the team to its first playoff series win in 23 years. Doug Weight didn’t last long either, exiting after two seasons. Then there was Barry Trotz, who, after guiding the team to consecutive conference finals, was let go. Most recently, Lane Lambert didn’t make it through his second season.
What’s left for Barzal to be surprised by?
“When [John Tortorella] was hired by [Las] I had to chuckle a bit while in Vegas last week. I mean, we’ve got only eight games left,” Barzal shared on Monday, indicating he wasn’t really shocked by the turbulence.
Even after Patrick Roy was fired just a day before, the impact was palpable during Monday’s practice in Long Island. The players rallied behind him, rejecting claims that he had gone missing in the locker room late in his third season, and defended him against blame for a dismal four-game losing streak that clouded their playoff aspirations.
“We all care about Patty and hoped he could have performed better in that last stretch,” Barzal remarked. “Looking in the mirror, I can’t help but feel I could have contributed more… It’s disheartening.”
Barzal went on to commend Roy for his straightforwardness and accountability, saying, “He was straightforward with us, always made eye contact, and was never dishonest. I genuinely value that in a coach.”
“But, you know, at this point of the season, you can’t let things linger. You must push forward. I woke up excited today, ready to give it everything,” he noted.
With the clock ticking on the season and needing to acclimate to new coach Pete DeBoer’s system—one that has earned him multiple trips to the conference finals—the players are ready to evolve.
“He’s been candid about our areas for improvement,” Jean-Gabriel Pageau said following practice. “He’s had considerable success wherever he’s coached, and we’re keen to embrace his approach. It feels like a fresh start, which is kind of exciting.”
Rookie Matthew Schaefer echoed this sentiment, looking forward to learning from a coach with such a strong track record.
Despite the abrupt changes, the team’s ambition remains unchanged.
“We’ve put ourselves in a position where we can realistically expect to make the playoffs,” captain Anders Lee stated. “We can absolutely get this done.”
However, center Brayden Schenn reminded everyone about the role of the players. “Ultimately, it’s up to us to make it happen,” he said.
