Name: Mathew Barzal
Born: May 26, 1997 (18) – Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Team: Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)
Number: 13
Position: Center
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 181 lbs.
Shoots: Right
2014-2015 season: 57 points (12 G, 45 A) and a +13 in 44 games with the Thunderbirds. 12 points (3 G, 9 A) in seven games at the U18 World Junior Championships with Canada.
Awards
- U18 Junior World Cup gold medal with Canada
- U18 World Junior Championships silver medal with Canada
- Named a top three player on Canada during the U18 World Junior Championships
Rankings
- #8 (ISS Hockey)
- #9 (Future Considerations)
- #11 (NHL Central Scouting: North American skaters)
- #11 (McKeen’s Hockey)
- #15 (TSN’s Craig Button)
- #17 (Hockey Prospect)
Elite Prospects: Matthew Barzal is an offensive forward with very good skating abilities. Has tremendous puck-handling and is poised with the puck, while looking for the perfect pass-option using his strong vision. Owns an excellent wrist shot with a remarkable release. Barzal reads the plays well, looking for interceptions and is not afraid to block shots, playing a reliable two-way game. A complete player with strong hockey sense.
NHL.com mock drafts
Adam Kimelman (11th overall to Florida): Injuries limited the 5-11, 175-pound forward to 44 games but he had 57 points. A dynamic offensive performer when healthy, he has shown an ability to raise his play when surrounded by better players.
Mike G. Morreale (14th overall to Boston): A fantastic east-to-west skater with the capability of creating time and space for linemates. The 5-11, 175-pound right-shot forward was the top center for the Thunderbirds. He has great vision, puck skills and playmaking ability. He had 45 assists and 57 points in 44 regular-season games, and scored four goals in six WHL playoff games.
Analysis
Barzal’s draft stock took a hit when he missed two months from cracking his kneecap (scoreless in first four games back), but he made up for it during the stretch run. In a full 72 game season, Mathew Barzal’s 12-45-57 averages to a 20-74-94. The numbers are more impressive when you see he spent the whole year as a 17 year old.
CHL forwards in TSN’s top 15 with points averaged out to 72 games
#1 Connor McDavid (C, OHL): 184
#4 Mitch Marner (RW, OHL): 144
#3 Dylan Strome (C, OHL): 137
#8 Timo Meier (RW, QMJHL): 106
#15 Mathew Barzal (C, WHL): 90
#11 Nick Merkley (RW, WHL): 90
#10 Lawson Crouse (LW, OHL): 66
-Side note: Stay away from Lawson Crouse.
Assuming Mathew Barzal falls to #7, he would be the best forward available. The Flyers don’t have a legit skill center in the system at the moment or a bona fide #2 center. Drafting Barzal would create a logjam down the road in the middle. If you’re keeping Brayden Schenn as a winger, there’s still Sean Couturier and Scott Laughton planted behind Giroux. I suggested yesterday the Flyers could trade back to #8 and acquire assets so Columbus can select Ivan Provorov. No matter what Ron Hextall does on draft day, the Flyers are getting an impact player 7th overall.
