“It’s much better for the organization to walk out of the draft with the players they want,” Islanders Head Amateur Scout Trent Klatt said. “If you identify somebody you like, why not make the move to get him.”
"We weren't going to do the deal unless Barzal was there," Klatt said. "It was only because he was available that we did the deal. I wouldn't have thought he was even an option at 10 o clock this morning."
“I’m so excited to be an Islander today,” Barzal said. “To go to a team that’s already a Cup contender is pretty crazy.