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2d ago

Mathew Barzal Cleared for Islanders Camp, Will Open at Center

After knee surgery ended his season, he arrives needing to reestablish his place on a reshaped lineup.

Jan 11, 2024; Elmont, New York, USA; New York Islanders center Mathew Barzal (13) skates with the puck against Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews (34) during the third period at UBS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
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Overview

  • Barzal says his knee is fully healed and he will be a full participant in training camp.
  • Coach Patrick Roy plans to start him between Anders Lee and Kyle Palmieri, with Bo Horvat centering Maxim Shabanov and Jonathan Drouin.
  • The 28-year-old played 30 games last season and missed 52 after an early upper-body issue and a February knee injury that required surgery.
  • He and Horvat have produced strong results together in recent seasons, though Barzal says he is open to different roles.
  • Rookie GM Mathieu Darche added Drouin, Shabanov and Emil Heineman to deepen the forward group, and Roy said Semyon Varlamov’s availability for the start of camp remains uncertain.