There’s a new No. 1 centre in Long Island, and he’s now the new face of the New York Islanders franchise at just 21 years of age.

With John Tavares departing for his hometown club, reigning Rookie of the Year Mathew Barzal will try to fill the void left by Tavares. The former Seattle Thunderbird is coming off a fantastic rookie campaign where notched 22 goals and 85 points in 82 games with the Islanders last season. His 63 assists tied Bryan Trottier’s rookie record while spending his time on the club’s second line in between Anthony Beauvillier and Jordan Eberle.

Heading into his second season, Barzal will see increased attention, as he’ll now be facing the top defensive pairings around the league on a nightly basis. Like many hockey players, Barzal is putting in the work on and off the ice as he gears up for his second professional season of hockey.

With teams now having a better understanding on how to game plan against him, Barzal is working on his game and refining his moves in order to diversify his skills out on the ice.

Thanks to Instagram user @sunsetfilms, who’s helping out with a  CCM Hockey shoot, we have some top-notch footage that will surely give Islanders fans hope heading into next season. Although he’s out there by himself and just fooling around with the puck, you have to admire the sublime puck skills Barzal displays here.

The wide shot does better justice.

Sweet baby Jesus his mitts are silky. There aren’t too many players in the league that combine speed and creativity with the puck the way Barzal does it. His weight transfer from foot to foot is incredible, as he balances on his edges like a figure skater. And what about that release, though?

Earlier this week, the Burnaby, B.C., product spoke with Newsday's Andrew Gross, and told the reporter that he's well aware of the added pressure of being the go-to guy in Long Island now, and knows his opponents will be keying in on him.

“I’ll get more attention and, without John, it will be amplified. I’m excited about that. That’s being competitive. I take that more as a compliment, more of a respect thing.”

“Every night, teams were basically suffocating me. Two, three guys on me,” Barzal added of his junior hockey career. “It just made me a better player. Just like in the NHL, you’ve got to find ways to get through it.”

While the Islanders will need more from their backend and goaltending if they want to get back to the post-season, Barzal will now be counted on heavily to make the Islanders a competitive bunch once again.

"I don't want to say he's happy about John leaving, I'm sure he's not that type of guy. But he does have a chip on his shoulder," said Matt Martin, who was recently reacquired by the Islanders from the same team Tavares signed with,

“I think he believes he can be one of the best players in the league. And you're going to have to have a bigger role to do something like that."

(h/t Instagram/ Sunsetfilms and Newsday)