Islanders' Barzal out two weeks after aggravating injury

New York Islanders forward Mathew Barzal is not expected to skate for the next two weeks after aggravating a previous injury, the team announced Wednesday, on the eve of the start of training camp.

With NHL camps shortened this year because of the new, 84-game schedule and the Islanders set to open the season Sept. 30 at Toronto in two weeks, Barzal's chances of being ready for the opener are in jeopardy.

"He is actively working to get back to full health," the Islanders said. "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."

Barzal, 29, is the Islanders' highest-paid player and was their leading scorer last season with 72 points, playing in 81 of 82 games. Injuries limited him to 30 games in 2024-25.

Training camp's first sessions begin Thursday under coach Peter DeBoer, who took over with four games left last season. DeBoer mentioned Barzal as part of the leadership around new captain Bo Horvat.