The New York Islanders will begin training camp without center Mathew Barzal, who is expected to miss at least the next two weeks due to inflammation from a prior injury, the team announced Wednesday. With the regular season opening in Toronto on Sept. 30, exactly two weeks from the announcement, Barzal’s absence is likely to extend into the season’s start, though the exact timeline for his return remains uncertain.

The Islanders released a statement affirming Barzal’s commitment to recovering fully and returning to the lineup as soon as possible. “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 team said.

Barzal’s absence creates a significant gap in the Islanders’ top-six forward group and upends head coach Pete DeBoer’s plan to reestablish Barzal at center. With the 13th overall pick sidelined, other players, such as Brayden Schenn or Calum Ritchie, are expected to compete for the second-line center role in his stead. The situation also opens an opportunity for prospect Victor Eklund, who excelled at rookie camp and is seen as a potential contributor in the top six or third line. Eklund’s ability to produce offensively will be crucial as the Islanders look to compensate for Barzal’s missing production.

Barzal has managed lingering issues related to a left kneecap injury that required surgery and ended his 2024-25 season early. While he appeared in 81 games last season—the only one he missed was due to injury-related maintenance—he dealt with ongoing physical challenges behind the scenes. Barzal described the injury as something that could take a year or two to fully resolve, noting that much of his off-ice time last season involved “managing my body.” Despite this, he confirmed he was capable of playing every game.

The Islanders have not clarified whether this latest period of inactivity is connected to that previous knee injury. When contacted for comment, a team spokesperson said only that it involves “a previous injury.” Barzal’s absence today follows his withdrawal from Team Canada’s participation at the World Championships last spring, where the reason given was “a precaution due to a minor, preexisting injury.” Details about that issue were not disclosed.

Last season, Barzal scored 19 goals and added 53 assists for a total of 72 points, ranking third-highest in his career and leading the Islanders in scoring by a comfortable margin. The team has made no major roster additions during the offseason, instead banking on the return of Kyle Palmieri from an ACL injury to help boost their offense.

Given Barzal’s critical role in the lineup, the Islanders will closely monitor his health and recovery progress, as he remains a key figure in their hopes for a competitive season.