ST. LOUIS — It is one of the most curious cases in the NHL: What are the Islanders going to do with Mathew Barzal?
As the super-talented 22-year-old center takes part in his second straight All-Star Game, the questions are swirling about his future with the organization. Barzal is on the final year of his entry-level contract, set to be a restricted free agent with no arbitration rights this summer. It leaves team president Lou Lamoriello a handful of options, from short-term bridge deals to a long-term monster contract. And even though Barzal follows the league closely — and the finances of his fellow players even more closely — he is trying not to make it a distraction.