What to watch at the start of NY Islanders training camp

We’re back! It’s been a long time since the NY Islanders were last on the ice, but today the players return for the start of training camp.

While many of the faces are familiar, there will be a few new notable players on the ice, notably Matias Maccelli and Vitek Vanecek. So, with camp underway, here are three storylines to follow heading into opening night.

With the news today that Mat Barzal will be off his skates for the first two weeks of camp, it will give other players the opportunity to fill his shoes and potentially make the opening night roster. One name to follow will be Victor Eklund. The 2025 first-round pick had an impressive rookie camp and has an NHL point under his belt in his only career game. The 20-year-old Swede will likely spend time in the NHL this season, but if Barzal isn’t ready for Game 1, Eklund could step into the lineup off the bat.

Multiple players missed significant time in 2025-26, if not the entire season. Pierre Engvall didn’t suit up once last season, but is healthy heading into this year's training camp. Though he was relegated to the AHL for a large portion of 2024-25, he’ll have the opportunity to regain his place in the lineup under new head coach Peter DeBoer.

Kyle Palmieri’s season ended on one of the most notable plays of the NHL season. Recording an assist seconds after tearing his ACL, Palmieri makes his return to the ice after a major injury. The Islanders missed one of their leaders terribly down the stretch, and they’ll be looking for Palmieri to return to his old form.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Schedule