Islanders Trade Rumors: Mat Barzal likely to be traded this offseason

The New York Islanders have a new GM at the helm, and one of the first orders of business for Mathieu Darche could be trading center Mat Barzal.

Barzal is signed for $9.1 million AAV through the 2030-31 season, and is coming off a tough year riddled by injuries. When healthy, Barzal didn't perform to expectations, scoring just six goals and 20 points in 30 games.

Daily Faceoff's Matt Larkin listed Barzal recently as a prime trade candidate, who could use a change of scenery:

Barzal’s prime is ticking away. His Isles haven’t advanced past the first round of the playoffs since 2020-21. He has spun his wheels in recent years, whether it’s because the team played a conservative style, he was banged up, or both. He’s a supremely gifted skater and puckhandler, and it feels like he’s capable of reaching a much higher ceiling if placed in a situation that lets him play a looser style. At 27, he could still produce like a star if given a chance to reset. And a Barzal trade would make plenty of sense right now for the Isles, too.

Barzal owns a 22-team no-trade clause, and two teams to consider as legitimate trade destinations would be either the Vancouver Canucks or Calgary Flames. Barzal's from the west coast, and if the Islanders are going to shake up their core, moving Barzal as far west as possible is a smart play.

Keep an eye on the Islanders, and what Darche decides to do leading up to next month's NHL Draft. There's no doubt the Isles new GM will be active, and his first order of business could result in significant changes.