Mat Barzal to Miss Start of Season with Injury

New York Islanders forward Mat Barzal will be sidelined for the next two weeks after aggravating a prior injury, the team announced Wednesday. This development casts doubt on his availability for the start of the upcoming season.

The Islanders are scheduled to begin their season on September 30th, exactly two weeks from Wednesday. Given that Barzal will not skate for at least this two-week period and that returning to skating does not immediately equate to game readiness, he is expected to miss time at the beginning of the year. The exact duration of his absence remains unclear.

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

Last season, Barzal played in 81 games and did not miss time due to injury. However, he dealt with behind-the-scenes issues related to a kneecap problem that ultimately required surgery and ended his 2024-25 season. At the end of last season, Barzal commented on his recovery, stating, "Injuries like I had usually take a year or two years to really start to settle in and feel normal again. I definitely had my own program of staying healthy. I could have played every game this year."

While the Islanders did not confirm if the current injury is related to his previous knee issue, a team spokesman did not respond to inquiries. Barzal had previously committed to playing for Team Canada in the World Championships last spring but withdrew, citing "a precaution due to a minor, preexisting injury." At that time, the Islanders indicated he was expected to be ready for training camp. The nature of that undisclosed injury also makes it uncertain whether it is connected to his current condition.