New York Islanders Practice Media Availabilities | 10/8/25

New York Islanders Practice Media Availabilities | 10/8/25

obviously throughout training camp playing at center. Um how have you adjusted your game and any just thoughts and feelings just shifting back to center? Um you know I think it’s just just a mindset of you know knowing that I’m going to be in more battles down low in my own end and you know got to get lower in my own zone and instead of being a winger up high in the D zone. So not much honestly. Um, I feel like whether I’m on the wing or down the middle, I I usually find myself in the middle of the ice, you know, um, in the neutral zone, so shouldn’t be shouldn’t be too much of an adjustment. Patrick always talks about the two playoff runs the Islanders had. You were at center. Um, what did you take from those experiences and how have you added to your game since then? Well, I mean, that was that was the funnest hockey I’ve ever been a part of. Um, so much on the line. And I love I love just how much pressure you felt and just how fun it was, you know, being that deep. I think I don’t know if it’s necessarily what I learned, but it’s more a matter of uh the the thirst to want to get back there, you know? So, yeah. Mentioned playing more down low and retrieving pucks. What are the main differences in going from center to wing? Yeah, like I said, just a little more on the play in the D zone with a little more emphasis on breaking us out and being part of the, you know, the the initial part of the breakout um instead of flying the zone or, you know, being on the wall. So, yeah, just just a couple little details at center that you don’t get at wing like I said, breaking out and coming through the middle a little more. So, that’s it really. talked a lot about really liking to play with Bo Horvat, you know, being together in late situations sometimes. Um, but what do you take from his defensive side of the game in the past year and a half? Yeah, I think Bo, anytime you watch Bo, he’s just he’s played such a nice solid game um away from the puck. And I think that’s what makes him such a great player is just how solid he is all around the ice, whether it’s in the offensive zone, defensive zone, his positioning, and the way he gets back, you know. So, whenever I’m on the bench watching, I’m always watching, you know, how he’s just competing. He he he brings it every night. So, I think aside from positioning and whatnot, it’s more watching us compete every night and that that tends to elevate teammates. So, he’s he’s uh he’s contagious that way. Your your line in camp with Ley and um and Paul Mary, what clicked with you guys and and I know you’ve been playing together with with each of them for a while, but what kind of works as as a trio? Yeah, I mean, we actually didn’t even get to really we played one preseason game together. Ley obviously got a little banged up, but um I think just in practice like just let those guys go to work down low and um try to find them for shots. They’re both lethal goal scorers. So just trying to, you know, get them the puck in good areas for them to shoot and score and hopefully they can get me the puck in some areas of speed and some space. So I think it could be a great great line. Finally, of course, you know, it’s been probably felt like a long training camp. A lot’s going on. you know, the new excitement in the organization, but to finally kick off the season tomorrow. What’s your excitement level? Yeah, I think I’m just I’m just thrilled to be back uh playing, especially just personal experiences this last eight months, you know, with being hurt and stuff. So, to be back in the position to, you know, be playing hockey again and with my teammates just, you know, means a lot to me. So, yeah, I I can’t wait. Where’s the excitement level at in this room to finally get this thing going? Really excited. Uh, I mean, I think it’s a culmination of kind of that whole summer and and the offseason we had and uh, we had a really good camp. I think everyone’s excited to go and um, we’re ready to do it tomorrow night. You’ve been skating on the line with Matt Barzell and and Andersley in training camp. What works and clicks among the three of you, especially with Barcel shifting back to center? Yeah, I mean, I think we’re pretty familiar with each other. Obviously, uh, haven’t played together for a couple years, maybe not on the same line, but u whether it’s power play units or shifting lines in game. So, uh, I think we’re comfortable with each other and we complement each other’s games pretty well. So, um, like I said, we’re we’re excited to to do it for real. Now, how does Barzel look at center? Of course, a bit more of a defensive zone responsibility, but just with his playmaking, how does that kind of stand out on your line? Yeah, I mean, he’s the guy we we want with the puck on his stick and um, sometimes you got to play defense to do that, and the quicker you and better you do it, it’s it’s going to result in uh, the puck on his stick a lot faster. So, I think just communicating well as a line, uh, making sure we’re in the good spots. Obviously, I think the system is is what it is and and we just want to find a way to to not be defending too much. Have you played at center at any point in your career? No. No, I haven’t. I I take draws every once in a while, but um, no, never really been centering. And just I want to ask you about um, Matthew Schaefer and Matt Shabonov both making their debut tomorrow night. um what’s the message to them and and and just your excitement to see them line up with you guys? I mean, I think the biggest thing is enjoy it. Uh it’s your first game. Um it’ll be their home opener. Excitement will be there. I think for us, it’s it’s really about watching these guys enjoy it. And I think it’s a lot of enjoyment from from the rest of us in this room too to watch those guys do it. In the past few years, the the team has started the season at home, but to open the season on the road. Um, what are the differences in just, you know, kicking off uh in in a visiting ring? Yeah, I mean, we had that nice little trip uh as a team last weekend. Um, you got spend some time with the guys and and now it just kind of it feels like you’re really just shifting into the the regular season and um yeah, it’s home or away, it doesn’t matter. It’s your first game of the season. You you want to put a put on a good show. practicing hard like you want to play. Um through all these hard practices, what did you see from your team today and to get one last practice in before everything starts tomorrow? Well, it was first of all, we work on our five on three, so it was was happy to see the structure that uh Ray putting together. Um so I was pleased with that execution, but I thought that our power play at the end was moving very well. I like the five on five. We work a bit on our neutral zone four check. Uh be a little more aggressive. So, um, no, I was pleased with what the way we practiced. I felt the joy. I felt that guys were, uh, working hard and that’s what I was looking for. Last last season, I remember you were emphasizing a good start. I’m assuming that’s kind of a every year type of point of emphasis. Yeah. I like to start 10 and0 for sure. Yeah. Uh, but you know what? No, it’s going to take it one game at a time and we’re not going to go too far ahead. I mean, we’re we’re going to focus I thought like I said to the guys today, I said, “Let’s focus on having a good practice. Let’s not worry about tomorrow. Worry about having a good practice today. Let’s have a good morning skate tomorrow and let’s be ready when the games the game starts.” Sorry. What has impressed you most about Emil Heinman over these last few weeks? Um, obviously his shot, his speed, his strength. Um but more importantly, I mean, uh the way that um is he um conduct himself, the way that he comes on the ice and and always ready. I love that. What gives you the confidence that the special teams can be vastly improved this year? The quality of the people that we have, you know, as player and coaches. I mean, I think it’s and we practice a lot. You saw it almost every day. I mean, it’s it’s something that maybe I underestimate last year. It’s on me. And then this year, I just want to make sure we have a good start. Is it a guarantee we’re going to have a good start? No. But I mean, I just want to focus on a, you know, be ready for that first game. And that was the plan during the training camp. We want to do everything that we could to be ready for that first game. And I thought that’s what we did. We put the in place um structure and and and and plan. And I think we um we’re ready for that game. I like to think that way. I’m sorry. How how how much have you enjoyed coaching Kyle Palm Mary over the last couple years and how important has he been for you guys? Such a great pro. I mean it’s it’s and you know what he um he leads by example and that’s what he wants the most. Um and he brings a lot to this this organization and this team. I mean he’s probably our probably our most natural score goal scorer. So, I mean, but it’s it’s nice to see a guy, I mean, taking care of himself like this. I remember when I was a rookie, Larry Robinson said, “Take care of your body. Your body will take care of you.” And and I think that’s exactly what Pumsy does. Are him and uh Pulak going to alternate the A’s like they did last year? Excuse me. Him and uh Pulak going to alternate the A’s on their jersey like they did last year? We’ll change. Um did Richie resume skating yet or just start skating, I think. Yeah. By on his own. Yeah. Yeah. On his own. Okay. With M with Matthew Barzalo, just what growth have you seen in his 200 foot game in the last year and a half? What I see what I see is what he wants to do. You know, I mean, it’s not just about, you know, it’s what is in, you know, what is in his mind. And I he wants to make that difference. And that’s what I like. That’s the start. and and after that, you know, we talk about on video or show him clips here and there and very receptive to that. So, that pleased me a lot. What are you chopping up a bit after games started last night? There’s games tonight. You guys have to wait till the third day. I’m all good. I’m all good. I don’t focus on that. I I honestly I mean I schedule the schedule and it was nice to watch those games actually. I mean, I watch a bit the game uh between the the Panthers and Chicago. Watch the second period and obviously the other one was too late. I was in bed before that that game started. But uh no, I I like to watch and and No, I’m I’m comfortable with the schedule that we have. Don’t worry, we’re going to be on the road for 16 days and uh and we’re going to be on the road for 14 days, so it it’ll be what it be. What do you see in the Penguins? Excuse me. What do you see in the Penguins? They played really tight defensively yesterday. So, I mean, that’s what I saw in that second period. And then obviously, I mean, guys like Crosby and Malikin, they had a great game. So was Lat. So, and their goalie played well. So, I mean, um, we know they’re going to play very well defensively. I don’t think they gave much to the the Rangers. And I thought, um, I thought they played a good game, good road game. Do you get something from watching your next opponent on TV if they happen to be on TV or is it all most of the preparation is just from watching the film of that team? Uh, I would say sometimes I will watch, you know, the the team we play, but most of the time it’s going to be the pre-cout that our guys giving to me. Um, what I like about it is is it’s breakdown. So, I mean, it’s easier for me to when we look at it, I mean, what they do offensively, what they do defensively, what they do in the neutral zone, what they do in the Done coverage, what they do and on faceoff, what they do on their power play, on the penalty killing. So, having all those clips together makes, you know, the work a lot easier and and focusing on more the detail than anything else. Coach, the home opener on Saturday, you got the fans excited about coming out. Your feelings about the big uh home opener. I would prefer you ask me this question after the game against Pittsburgh if you don’t mind.

Hear from Mathew Barzal, Kyle Palmieri and Head Coach Patrick Roy after today’s practice.