Since then, he’s been a consistent presence during team practices and took a significant step as he traveled to California. He’ll make his long-awaited return on Saturday and Barzal said he’s looking forward to putting his recovery in the rearview.
“I know it’s cliche, but it means everything,” Barzal said. “There were a lot of moments during the last six, seven months that didn’t really know what was going to happen,and I’ve had some hard days. Even today when I made the call to go tonight, just felt it. Felt like a rush of excitement just to be around the boys watching them get dressed for morning skate, preparing to get into a game again so huge moment for me.”
Barzal said it was a challenge to rebuild strength and muscle in his left leg and noted that his mom would visit him on Long Island for an emotional boost as he wasn’t able to play.
Barzal said the original plan was for him to make his return on Tuesday against the Columbus Blue Jackets at UBS Arena, but productive practices in California have allowed him to play on Saturday.
He was also candid when talking about his recovery process and shared the unnerving uncertainty that challenged him during the summer and into the fall.
“It’s been probably the hardest journey of my life honestly,” Barzal said. “I think when you take away something that you love, you’ve been doing since you were four years old, and you’re unable to get on the ice and skate and play and feel like you don’t know what the future looks like. A lot of moments in the summer where there’s a period where things aren’t getting better and you never know if it’s ever going to get better. This has been the hardest struggle of my life but every single day I attacked it and put so much work into this to get back here today, and it’s exciting.”