The NY Islanders injuries are mounting up four games into the season

The 2026-27 NHL season is still extremely young, but the NY Islanders are already feeling the effects of the injury bug. 

First came Mat Barzal re-aggregating his knee injury suffered two seasons ago, missing all of training camp. Then on Tuesday came the brutal news of Alexander Romanov’s torn ACL, which will see him miss the remainder of the season. In a game-sealing empty-net goal by Bo Horvat on Thursday, the captain suffered a head injury from a cheap shot by Frank Nazar. Finally, in last night's SO loss for the Hamilton Hammers, Isaiah George suffered an injury that will keep him out long-term.

Injuries are taking their toll

Starting with the defensive corps, Romanov’s injury is a devastating one, as he worked his way back from shoulder surgery that saw him miss the majority of last season. George, who was given every opportunity to make the team out of camp, also missed much of last season due to injury. With Scott Mayfield stepping into the lineup and Matt Kessell serving as the seventh defenseman, likely Kashawn Aitcheson and Marshall Warren are next in line to earn a call-up.

Leading the team in goals with four in four games, there is the possibility that Horvat plays tonight against the Tampa Bay Lightning. If he is unable to go and misses any amount of time, the Islanders are down their top two centers. Luckily, there is depth down the middle, as Schenn could shift from the wing back to center.

Injuries this early in the season are never easy to deal with, but as it always has with this team, it’s a next-man-up mentality.

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