Jan 25, 2025; Elmont, New York, USA; New York Islanders center Mathew Barzal (13) plays the puck against the Carolina Hurricanes during the third period at UBS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
New York Islanders star center Mathew Barzal has been shut down for two weeks due to the “aggravation of a prior injury that has caused some inflammation,” the team announced on Wednesday.
The area in which the issue has occurred was not specified. Barzal skated in 81 games last season, recording 19 goals and 53 assists for 72 points — the third-most in his career.
“He is actively working to get back to full health,” a statement from the Islanders read. “There is nobody more committed than Mathew to getting his body to the level where he thrives on the ice. We expect him to continue getting healthy and back in the lineup as soon as possible.”
The Islanders officially start training camp on Thursday, and a condensed preseason slate features four games against the New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils. The regular season begins on Sept. 30, meaning Barzal is all but certain to miss the opener in Toronto against the Maple Leafs. Their home opener is set for Oct. 3 against the Devils before going across town to Madison Square Garden to face the Rangers on Oct. 6.
Barzal is expected to return to his natural position at center this year, at least that is what previous comments by head coach Pete DeBoer, who enters his first full season as Islanders head coach, suggested. He had been rotated between center and wing over the past few years under previous head coaches Lane Lambert and Patrick Roy.
For more on Mathew Barzal and the Islanders, visit AMNY.com
