It didn’t take long for the Islanders to acknowledge the transition from one era of their franchise history to the next.
John Tavares signed with his hometown Toronto Maple Leafs a week ago and the Islanders’ Facebook page now features a picture of Mathew Barzal celebrating a goal.
The social media switch reflects the Islanders’ reality. Ready or not, Barzal, 21, is the team’s new marquee player and No. 1 center, a potential future captain and, quite likely, the face of the franchise even more so than new president Lou Lamoriello.
And those who have known him since he was a teenager insist Barzal craves this prominent role.