Islanders return Mathew Barzal to Seattle

The New York Islanders have sent rookie center Mathew Barzal back to the WHL's Seattle Thunderbirds, the team announced Wednesday.

Though it seemed Barzal, the 16th overall selection from two summers ago, won a top-nine center-ice role out of training camp, he dressed just twice for the Islanders, recording no points.

The decision preserves the first season on Barzal's entry-level deal.

Meanwhile, the clock has started on fellow 2015 first-round draft selection Anthony Beauvillier, who recently crossed the nine-game threshold. The winger has one goal and five points with New York.