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The New York Islanders have reported that Mathew Barzal is day-to-day with an existing injury that has flared up. The club has stated that he will not be skating in training camp for the next two weeks.
Should Islanders fans be concerned?
Any prior injury still causing problems is never good. And while the Islanders aren’t saying much, the expected timeline for Barzal to return to skating doesn’t feel egregious. However, we’ll know closer to the first game of the season a better timeline for Barzal. The Islanders’ first game is on September 30 in Toronto against the Leafs.
Fans are understandably concerned, as Barzal is a key player for the Islanders. In 2025-26, he totaled 72 points with 19 goals and 52 assists. He is a definitive top-six player, so seeing him miss any time is concerning.
Additionally, Barzal is missing the beginning of training camp with DeBoer’s new coaching staff. This is a key time for the Islanders to learn and implement new systems. This is a crucial time for the Islanders to get ready for the new season.
Right now, however, Barzal’s only focus is getting healthy. It’s better for the Islanders if he starts his season a few games later, if it can help this injury not pop back up during the season. Only time will tell.
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