Mathew Barzal to miss at least two weeks with injury aggravation

New York Islanders forward Mathew Barzal is expected to be sidelined for at least two weeks after aggravating a prior injury. The team announced the news on Wednesday, just before the start of training camp.

Barzal, the team’s leading scorer from the previous season with 72 points, is reportedly working to return to full health. The injury, which has caused inflammation, will likely cause him to miss the full preseason schedule. His availability for the season opener against the Toronto Maple Leafs on September 30 remains uncertain.

This setback follows a history of injury concerns for the 29-year-old, who missed significant time during the 2024-25 season and previously opted out of the IIHF Men’s World Championships due to a pre-existing ailment. The Islanders' training camp begins this week under coach Peter DeBoer.