After impressive training camps that virtually forced the team’s hand, 19-year-old 2015 first-round draft picks Mathew Barzal and Anthony Beauvillier have made the New York Islanders’ season-opening roster for 2016-17.
That doesn’t mean they’ll stay there all season — each can be returned to their junior teams (WHL Seattle Thunderbirds for Barzal, QMJHL Shawinigan Cataractes for Beauvillier) before their 10th NHL game without triggering the first year of their NHL contract — but it does signal how impressed the Isles have been with them and what it means for the future.
Once P.A. Parenteau hit waivers, the other dominos appeared to be set.