5 questions facing the Islanders heading into training camp

The Islanders have missed the playoffs in two straight seasons and have not won a postseason series since 2021 and 2026-27 has already started on a down note with Wednesday’s news that top-six forward Mathew Barzal would not skate for the next two weeks.

Barzal, having likely aggravated his left knee injury from two seasons ago, will miss training camp and the opener to the expanded, 84-game regular season on Sept. 30 in Toronto.

So, yes, questions abound as the Islanders begin their first training camp under Pete DeBoer, who replaced Patrick Roy with four games remaining last season. The first on-ice sessions are on Thursday at Northwell Health Ice Center in East Meadow, with a 56-man roster including 32 forwards, 17 defensemen and seven goalies.

The four-game preseason schedule – home-and-homes against the Devils and Rangers – begins on Sunday afternoon in Newark, New Jersey.

Here are five training camp questions:

How will the shortened preseason impact the Islanders?

First off, Barzal’s timeline will prevent him from participating whereas he might have returned for training camp in previous seasons.

Training camps under the new collective bargaining agreement have essentially been shortened a week – 13 days for veterans – and the preseason shortened by two games. DeBoer said the training camp roster will feature about 10 players fewer than in the past and the cut down to an “NHL group” will happen much quicker. Players with 100 games of NHL experience can play a maximum of two preseason games.

“I don't think it's going to be an issue,” DeBoer said. “Unfortunately, the flip side of that is some prospects that in the past might have played some games and you got the chance to look at maybe don't get that opportunity. But for our NHL preparation, (GM) Mathieu (Darche) told me that's a priority and we've set up camp to make sure we have the time we need for that.”

How much better can Matthew Schaefer get?

The first overall pick in 2025 lived up to the wildest expectations in winning the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year in a unanimous vote with 23 goals and 36 assists in 82 games. He tied Brian Leetch’s NHL record for goals by a rookie defenseman and set league mark for goals and points by an 18-year-old defenseman as he averaged a team-high 24:41 of ice time skating on the top pair and quarterbacking the first power-play unit.

Not that Schaefer snuck up on teams last season but now opponents will really game plan to thwart him.

“Everybody’s going to know who he is and his abilities, the spaces they're going to close,” newly-named captain Bo Horvat said. “I obviously expect him to be just as good if not better than he was last year.”

Will Semyon Varlamov complete his comeback?

The 38-year-old goalie has not played in an NHL game since Nov. 29, 2024 and is trying to come back from two partial knee replacement surgeries.

“Varly looks great,” defenseman Tony DeAngelo said. “You know how many guys would have just retired at that age, going through what he’s gone through? An inspiring guy for people to look up to.”

Well-traveled Vitek Vanecek, 30, was signed to a one-year, $1 million deal but Plan A is for Varlamov back up Ilya Sorokin. Sorokin finished second behind the Lightning’s Andrei Vasilevskiy in Vezina Trophy balloting but he wore down late in the season with former backup David Rittich losing the trust of former coach Patrick Roy. Having a backup capable of playing well in 25-30 games will be crucial.

Are Kyle Palmieri and Alexander Romanov fully healthy?

Palmieri suffered a torn left ACL on Nov. 28 and missed the rest of the season. But the Islanders sorely need his gritty, tenacious play around the crease as a top-six right wing – even more so with Barzal’s injury – in what will likely be the 35-year-old Smithtown native’s final season with the organization as he completes a two-year, $9.5 million deal.

“I feel great,” Palmieri said. “I’m cleared to go. Full go for day one.”

Romanov, 26, entering the second season of an eight-year, $50 million deal, is coming back from right shoulder surgery after the defenseman was hurt on Nov. 18. He brings a physical presence and ability to skate with the puck but needs to show again he can play among the top four.

Which prospects will push which veterans?

The organization wants defenseman Isaiah George, 22, to make the team. That might mean Schaefer moves to his off-side on the right while cutting into right-handed Scott Mayfield’s ice time. Defenseman Kashawn Aitcheson, 19, will likely wind up with the Islanders’ AHL affiliate in Hamilton, Ontario for now. He plays a physical game like Romanov.

Up front, Victor Eklund, 19, stood out at rookie camp and the Islanders could use the playmaker’s skating, shooting and tenacity on the puck. Fellow former first-rounder Cole Eiserman possesses a blistering shot but likely will also wind up in the AHL. Veterans Casey Cizikas, Ondrej Palat, Kyle MacLean, Pierre Engvall and Anthony Duclair will likely battle for ice time.

By Andrew Gross

andrew.gross@newsday.comAGrossNewsday

Andrew Gross joined Newsday in 2018 to cover the Islanders. He began reporting on the NHL in 2003 and has previously covered the Rangers and Devils. Other assignments have included the Jets, St. John’s and MLB.