3 storylines to keep an eye on heading into NY Islanders training camp

For the first time since the 2007-08 season, when the NHL opened the new campaign in London, England, all 32 teams will begin play before the calendar flips to October. This means training camp will begin in a few weeks, with the NY Islanders rookies taking on the NJ Devils rookies on Sept. 15.

Like any training camp, players will be fighting for a spot on the opening night roster and a place in the lineup. Here are three storylines to keep tabs on throughout camp.

Duclair and Engvall could be battling for a roster spot

Two of the more disappointing players since joining the Islanders, Pierre Engvall or Anthony Duclair, could have limited days remaining on Long Island.

Engvall missed the entire 2025-26 season, undergoing hip surgery. In 2024, Engvall was cut after training camp despite being one year into a seven-year contract. Injuries forced Engvall’s recall only a few games into the season, finishing the campaign with eight goals and seven assists in 62 games. 

Injuries have forced Duclair to miss 20+ games in each of his two seasons with the Islanders, causing the veteran to struggle with consistency. Duclair scored 12 times last season while adding 15 assists in 62 games.

With some of the additions made this offseason along with the potential emergence of some rookie forwards, there’s the possibility that Engvall and Duclair will be battling it out for the final forward spot on the Islanders' roster. 

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