Islanders’ Hopes Hinge on Mathew Barzal’s Questionable Knee Status

“Injuries like this, you potentially never feel back at 100 percent,” Barzal said. “But mentally, I’m at a point now where it doesn’t really matter. If I’m feeling great, if maybe one day I’m a little sore or whatever, it is what it is. I have six more years left on my contract, and I’m fully committed to doing everything I can to be the best player I can be.”

Those comments won’t relieve Isles fans of their worries about the former Calder Trophy winner’s knee health. The truth is that we won’t know how effective Barzal will be until he participates in full-speed regular season games.

Barzal was limited to 30 games last season. In addition to the knee injury, an upper-body injury played havoc with his 2024-25 season. He finished with six goals and 14 assists.

The Islanders open the 2025-26 preseason at home against the Philadelphia Flyers on Sept. 21 at UBS Arena. Though these exhibitions are played half-speed, the Islanders will be cautious in rolling out Barzal.

We’ll get a clearer indication of how close to 100 percent Barzal actually is when the Isles travel to Pittsburgh to open the 2025-26 regular season against the Penguins at PPG Paints Arena.

Though there’s a buzz surrounding the arrivals of No. 1 pick Matthew Schaefer and Jonathan Drouin, Barzal’s health will play a crucial role if the Islanders are to return to the playoffs.