Barzal Scratched For Being Late & How It Affects The Islanders Tonight
Mathew Barzal was late to Thursday's morning skate and will not play against the Carolina Hurricanes.
Former New York Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello was notorious for his rules. While not popular in the NHL, his purpose was to create a culture with a team-first motto.
No one’s name on the back of the jersey was more important than the logo on the front. Accountability was at the forefront, whether it was players holding themselves accountable after games — like Noah Dobson after his Stadium Series turnover — or answering for off-ice actions if they arose.
If you didn’t follow Lou’s rules, your time under him was short-lived.
When Lamoriello was relieved of his duties this summer and replaced by first-year general manager Mathieu Darche, Lou’s rules went out the door.
The organization became more transparent with us, the media, and the fan base. But as we have seen this morning, accountability is non-negotiable.
Forward Mathew Barzal, with the team on a two-game skid, will not play against the Carolina Hurricanes, per head coach Patrick Roy, due to being late to the rink.
He’ll return to the lineup against the Washington Capitals tomorrow night.
“That’s the culture of our team, we made the decision to not play him tonight,” Roy said. “Barzal doesn’t feel good about it, but he respects and understands it.” (H/t Rachel Luscher).
The Islanders didn’t have to publicize this. They could have just said that Barzal was day-to-day with a lower-body injury, especially with the fact that he’s coming off season-ending knee surgery.
They could have said he was sick — load management — whatever they wanted to, to avoid this from coming to light.
But they didn't. And that says something. Who knows if this was the first time?
Regardless, he’s paying the price tonight.
The pendulum might have swung from Lou to Darche, but the fact is, everyone needs to be on point here.
Now, how will Barzal’s absence affect the Islanders’ lineup? Roy did tell the media that there could be a call-up from Bridgeport to fill the hole.
With defenseman Alexander Romanov activated off Injured Reserve, Marshall Warren is likely to be sent down to create the roster spot for the pending forward call-up.
The expectation is that Calum Ritchie will be the one recalled, as he’s the team’s top forward prospect and just returned to the Bridgeport lineup following a three-game absence due to a lower-body injury.
He has points in all three games that he’s played, and there’s no question he’s NHL-ready after exponentially growing his game since being sent back to juniors last season after a seven-game NHL stint with the Colorado Avalanche.
If he is the one recalled, I’d expect him to play alongside Kyle Palmieri and Anthony Duclair in Barzal’s spot.
Having Ritchie play is fantastic!