The similarities are striking: The stickhandling skills, the skating ability, the creativity, the confidence to squeeze into tight spots and make something happen, or maybe not.
And, the preference to pass first. Probably pass second, too.
Yes, center Mathew Barzal, 21, and right wing Josh Ho-Sang, 22, bring many of the same qualities to the Islanders’ organization. But thus far Barzal, selected 16th overall in 2015, has been able to do it on the NHL level, winning the Calder Trophy as the league’s top rookie last season, while Ho-Sang, picked 28th overall in 2014, has played more for Bridgeport (AHL).