New York Islanders: 5 things the Isles completely wasted this season

Mat Barzal is the de-facto future of the franchise with John Tavares’ future as an Islander uncertain but the Isles totally wasted his talent in year one.

Mat Barzal had over 60 assists this year, 63 to be exact, which is good enough to finish fifth overall in the NHL. He was not only the best rookie on offense but one of the best in the league overall.

Yet, somehow, the Islanders failed to win more games. That stat alone is absurd. It is almost not even fathomable that Barzal is already this good at generating offense in his first season.

This Islanders team typically won when Barzal scored multiple points but it is still crazy they failed to earn enough points to squeak into the playoffs when you look at that standard of the other league leaders. If you look at the top 15 in assists in the league, 11 of them come from teams who made the playoffs. It’s only one aspect of the game but still one that is important.

The Islanders did not waste every one of those assists, technically, but it sure feels like it. Instead of being excited to watch Barzal light it up in the playoffs, Islander faithful must wait for next season.

Feels like a crime to me.

So, thanks, Barzy, for actually being one of the few silver linings on this team. Too bad your 63 assists were not enough.