Mathew Barzal availability for NY Islanders season opener suddenly in jeopardy

New York Islanders forward Mathew Barzal is not expected to skate for the next two weeks after aggravating a previous injury, putting his availability for the start of the regular season in question.

The Islanders announced the update Wednesday, one day before their first training camp practices under coach Pete DeBoer. New York opens the season Sept. 30 at Toronto.

"He is actively working to get back to full health," the Islanders said in a statement. "There is nobody more committed than Mathew to getting his body to the level where he thrives on the ice. We expect him to continue getting healthy and back in the lineup as soon as possible."

The two-week timeline would take Barzal directly to the start of the regular season, leaving little opportunity for him to practice before the opener. The NHL's move to an 84-game schedule has also resulted in a shortened training camp this season.

Barzal, 29, led the Islanders with 72 points last season while appearing in 81 of 82 games. His ability to remain healthy was significant after injuries limited him to 30 games during the 2024-25 season.

The Islanders did not provide additional details on the injury or establish a timetable for Barzal's return to game action. Still, that is much more information than the franchise provided previously under the previous regime. Fans were often uncertain what the injuries were with little to no expectations around the timetable to return.

Barzal is expected to remain a major part of the Islanders' leadership group under DeBoer, who took over for Patrick Roy with four games remaining last season. DeBoer mentioned Barzal among the veteran leaders surrounding Bo Horvat after Horvat was named the team's new captain.

Barzal's absence could also create an additional opportunity during training camp for one of the Islanders' younger forwards.

Victor Eklund, the 16th pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, entered camp competing for a roster spot. If Barzal is unavailable to begin the season, the Islanders could keep Eklund with the NHL club rather than rush Barzal back for opening night.

For now, however, the larger concern is getting the Islanders' leading scorer healthy.

With the opener two weeks away, Barzal's status for Toronto is uncertain.

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