New York Islanders Practice Media Availabilities | 10/7/25
training camp. Patrick Wah talked about wanting to improve team structure, special teams. How would you kind of uh summarize training camp overall in terms of progress in those areas? I think we took a step each day. I think um learned from from the play in our games and within the practices as well what we what were some areas of to improve on and we took a look at those. But like Patrick said, just building out our structure, building out our three zones and playing it as a unit of five and uh building up for a couple nights from now. Want to ask you about Matt Barzell at center, of course, that was his natural position utilized at at wing the past few seasons, but how has he looked on your line and and continuing that chemistry? I think he’s been great. I mean, he’s so dynamic and I think he playing center, he he picks that puck up low uh a lot more frequently. uh can get us out of the zone and and and carry us up the ice like he has before and um you know we take care of our defensive zone and allow ourselves to come out with possession and puts us in a really good spot as a line and uh one that I think uh you know when we were we got some time together throughout the camp just focused on and and made sure we took care of some things and then built off the offensive game. when you’re a guy who knows just the mental load of coming back from a lengthy injury and Barcel it’s so clear he was so hungry to get back to action. How’d he look in terms of just looking like himself and buzzing out there? Well, I think it’s just that. I think he looks like himself. I think he uh he I mean obvious obviously put a lot of work in to get himself in a position to to feel good and to get his his body in the right place. Uh it still takes time and he’s going to, you know, be fighting through this, but uh it doesn’t show up in his play and that’s the biggest thing. So, uh, kudos to him for for getting himself back and putting that effort in. And, uh, now he’s at a point where, you know, he can go out there and just play play play the game, not have to worry about, uh, you know, the injury or or whatnot and the side effects of that, but just go out and play hockey. Just for for Matthew Schaefer, of course, making opening night at just 18 years old, what have you seen from him, not only just on the ice, but his character and maturity to be ready for this challenge on Thursday? He’s handled everything with class. I think he’s just he’s got a good head on his shoulders. Uh he’s come in to learn. He’s coming in to work hard and can’t ask for anything more from a young player and uh I’m excited for him to get his feet wet and and get this thing started and a lengthy career ahead of him. Uh he’s a great kid, deserves all this. So it’ll be fun to see him in uniform officially and uh be out there with him. What’s going to be your message to this 18y old kid if you put your you know hand on his shoulder and you know throw him out on the ice? I just enjoy it. He look, he’s he’s you know, even just through camp, I don’t think there’s been moments or practices or anything that’s kind of been too overwhelming for him. So, he’s, you know, he’s he’s really got a great um demeanor and I think that’ll show up on Thursday. But at the end of the day, just go enjoy it. Uh have some fun out there, play your game, and the rest will fall into place. We’ll be there to back you up. We’ll be there to, you know, if anything happens or whatnot. Uh just go play your game. So, it’s a long season build off of the first one and continue to move forward and uh nothing but great things are going to come from from his game and uh his presence. Matthew Dar talked about yesterday just not only your on ice skills, your elite skating factored into making the team, but also your maturity off the ice. What was your mindset through camp and then your reaction to making opening night roster on Thursday? Yeah, obviously I think just taking it day by day. um you know obviously um you know you obviously get drafted for a reason and then you just you want to go out you want to forget about the media and stuff and just go play your game. So um I think every every step of the way was just a good step in the right direction from the draft to uh you know preseason to now. So obviously I mean I I’ve said this a lot but um I want to keep getting better. I want to keep working on things but I mean it’s a dream come true but it’s you know the game of hockey and you know now the work starts. So, uh, I can’t wait to get started. Team officials, do you get any a text or anyone to reach out to you from the league about, you know, the accomplishment. Yeah. Um, you know, Nick Felino, I, uh, I became close with them, so I mean, he lost his mom due to cancer at a, you know, young age, too. So, um, he reached out to me and I was, you know, talking to him about stuff like that. So, we have the same agent. So, um, yeah, he’s been awesome. I mean, he’s a he’s a character for sure and he’s a great guy, too. So, um, yeah, definitely got, you know, a lot of texts. Um, but yeah, it’s it’s going to be awesome to just, you know, start playing hockey, um, you know, in the real leagues. But I I mean, I just can’t wait to get started and can’t wait to start working on a lot of things. Have you thought about what it’s going to be like and your emotions going through? You’re a very even keeled guy, but just to line up against guys like Sydney Crosby on Thursday and and what’s it like to wear the Islander sweater, what kind of are you expecting? Yeah, obviously. I mean, it’s going to be pretty cool. I mean, obviously, I mean, playing in the NHL and playing against guys like that, but when you get on the ice, you just got to zone it out. I mean, everyone’s, you know, out there to play hockey. I mean, you really don’t think about who you’re going up against. Obviously, you got to know, you know, what kind of style they play like, oh, they’re fast, you know, blah, all that stuff. But, um, I think just going out there, putting your head down, work boots on, and just working, uh, is going to be the big thing. I mean, you I don’t want to go out there and, you know, just be like, oh, I’m going up against him. I mean, it’s just hockey, right? So, you want to go out there and work as hard as you can and, you know, just forget about, you know, who’s on the ice. Your dad and brother making a trip. Yeah, I think there’s uh quite a bit of people coming down. I think my dad, brother, um, his girlfriend, and then I there’s like a couple of my buddies from school and their parents are coming down. My be one of my best friends, uh, from hockey when I played when I was younger. His family’s coming down. And there’s, uh, there’s going to be a lot of people. And then I think they’re going to make the trip to opening night here, too. So, um, I mean, it should be good. But, I mean, like I said, I’ll be dialed into the game, so I won’t be worrying about any of that. Dealing with the ticket requests, or you have to do that. Honestly, my dad and Kimber, I think, have been talking. I mean, Kimber’s the man. Kimber helps out a lot. I don’t know how many tickets I’ll be able to get because it’s a road game, but um I know my dad’s kind of figuring that out with Kimber, but I mean, whatever. It is what it is, right? Kimber helps out a lot. Kind of even killed, you said. What would cause that moment maybe opening night to make you go, “All right, cool. Look, all right, let me look around here a little bit.” Yeah, I mean, I think it’s just, you know, playing your first game. I mean, everyone’s always wanted to play their first NHL game and uh, you know, play against the, you know, big guys in the big leagues and, you know, everyone wants to make it to here, but you haven’t made it yet. You you never will really make it. You’re always going to be battling up against people. You’re always going to want to be getting better. So, um, for me, I think just like, you know, getting my first game under my belt and then, you know, just keep going, keep moving forward, you know, but take one day at a time and then just keep moving forward, keep working on things. So, um, yeah, I’m looking to, you know, play at the best of my ability and, uh, you know, there’s, you know, lots of ways that I can learn to, you know, do that. So, I can’t wait to just get the first game under my belt. George, he faced the Penguins in his NHL debut. Have you talked to him at all about about that experience for him? No, I honestly didn’t even know he versed the Penguins in his debut, but um, I mean, yeah, I mean, I think it’s just a team, right? Like, I mean, whatever team you face, I mean, it’s your NHL debut. It’s just a game. So, um, you know, they say it’s your big NHL debut, but it’s just a game. So um just worry about you know winning the game and uh you know staying off on the right track with the team. Second NHL training camp for you. What have you learned over the course of the past few weeks? It’s been for more uh easier same last year because uh I’m don’t know language uh team and everything. Now it’s I just know everybody and uh it’s family. I’m so excited to come back and uh uh doing this uh camp and uh inside the season going inside the season. You know, it’s a big adjustment coming from the KHL and you said you you’ve been working on playing a more north south style game. What are the specifics that you’ve kind of picked up and how has your confidence improved in camp this year? Yeah, it’s just learning more understand what I need to do and uh what uh coaches want to look at me and uh just play more simple uh more heat, more aggressive and uh play for play for win. And you developed some chemistry with Shyanov there on that play in the last preseason game. What’s it been like to kind of be there for him as he he kind of went through the same thing you went through last summer? Yeah, I just try to tell him uh uh how I uh doing last year in the first camp and I don’t know I know what he need understand about nurse style hockey. Yeah. And I try help him for about ice and outside ice just uh save what I need to do. Does he ask you a lot of questions? H does he ask you a lot of questions? Yeah, but uh we talk a lot in the summer before he signed contract and I tell him about everything. But uh yeah, sometimes he asked me about hockey, about uh how is uh going to the game, which style and uh everything. The season opens in just two days in Pittsburgh. What’s your mindset and your excitement to get the real season going? First one is I need just to be fresh and uh be ready for the game and uh doing for step by step uh every game. It’s uh so simple. Just need need to win and be good to feel. Um what was your mindset heading into camp and just your excitement to uh for Thursday? Yeah, it’s great. I think everyone’s super excited for Thursday. Uh it’s a lot of anticipation. Uh you know, everyone’s super excited, a lot of buzz around here. So just ready to get going for the season. How would you describe your camp and and how it’s been for you so far? I think just trying to do uh you know what I what I finished the year with uh being consistent using uh my attributes to my advantage. Uh skating, hitting, shooting, stuff like that. So, just building on stuff I worked on last season at the end of the summer. You know, w your way last season and earned your spot there. Um what was offseason training like to get prepared for training camp and what kind of new things are you looking to add to your game? I think maybe not add new things but keeping stuff consistent and doing stuff that uh you know found me success last year every night. Um I think building on that not trying to veer from you know what what got me here and successful last year. So I think I really tried to work on that last uh this summer and then uh at the end of the year it kind of you know gave me a taste on what I needed to work on and continue building at. You built a lot of chemistry with Kyle Mlan. Um how has that developed as as time went on? Yeah, he’s been awesome. Uh, on and off the ice, awesome guy. Uh, so always around him is a good time and playing with him super easy. He’s an awesome player. Uh, I think we play pretty similar, so reading off each other is not too hard. I wanted to ask you about Matthew Schaefer. Of course, you guys had um, you know, some events together and and got to be friends that way through the rookie showcase. Um, but for him to make the team at just 18 years old. What’s your excitement and reaction to to that news? Yeah, it’s awesome. I mean, when you hear everyone talk about him, it’s just the praise is so high and you guys see it firsthand. Like, his skating is some of the best I’ve seen and and at that age, like, it’s it’s insanely impressive to see the way he moves and the way he plays. So, um, super happy for him. It’s pretty cool that his first game’s going to be against Crosby. So, I think that’ll be pretty special for him and his family. So, I think we’re all super happy for him. What’s your friendship like with him off the ice? He’s great. Uh, you know, he’s still young, so it’s funny. He’s just he always goose around. and uh he’s super funny, happy to be around. So, uh he’s an awesome kid and like I said, we’re just all super happy for him. We’re happy to have him as well. Just wanted to get your reaction on Matthew Schaefer making the team at just 18 years old and and for to him in the lineup on Thursday. Well, I mean, um I know how special it will be for him because it was very special for me when I uh started my career. Uh and it’s funny because it was in Pittsburgh. My first start in my career was in Pittsburgh. Um, and same thing for him. So, I’m happy for him. He deserve it. Um, played hard, practiced hard. Um, so, uh, it’s a the beginning of a a new journey for him and for the for the Islanders organization as well. What’s your message to him before uh season opener? Have fun. Have fun. Not back. No. I think he got that one. Wanted to ask you about Max Ciplov, of course, his second NHL training camp. What have you seen from him confidence-wise this year versus last year? Uh, I mean, he missed a little bit camp for injury, but overall, yes, he But what I love about Sepy is it’s his puck protection. He’s hard to get the puck away from and and that’s that’s the thing that I love about this game. He goes to the net, brings pucks to the net, and you know what? He’s smart. He He’s He’s He understand how, you know, he needs to play defensively and all. So, pretty pretty good for him. As a young kid watching Schaefer in this game, maybe sitting at home, what would you tell that kid to notice? Like, look, watch what he does. What What would it be? Well, the thing that I I like is kids to watch his swagger. you know, how confident he is on the ice. You know, for 18-year-old playing with guys who have so much experience and see that swagger, see him like moving, you know, the way he moves, it’s, you know, that’s that’s that’s that’s what you want from any young young player. You want to go want to see them going and have fun with their their friends, but have that swagger, that confidence, that that trust in themsel that they could do. You know, the X and O’s are all cool, but I mean, at the end of the day is is the personality, the the person, how it’s Kate, how they handle th those those rushes and and on and on. What What kind of if there is any, do you feel a difference today that you know, the initial roster is in, now you’re game planning for Pittsburgh season. Was there any kind of different feel? No, not really. Um, we’ve been doing, we had our plan from the start and we just follow the plan. Um, it was fun to work with different guys. Now it’s nice to have, you know, the the lines on and but unfortunately injuries are are part of the the equation or or changes and stuff like this. So, there’s always something going on. So you’re you’re not always all the but today was cool to have everybody healthy at on the ice at the same time. Training camp you mentioned the focus is going to be on team structure and special teams. What progress has the group made in those areas? The main focus right now it’s it’s about having fun. Enjoy yourself and feel it. I want to feel it. Uh after that I want us to be very good on our special units and I think we’ve been doing a good job. I mean, in those three areas, which means in the third area for me, it’s the five on five. Even today in the practice, I thought we were good in our pra in our Done coverage. We were quick on the on the puck carrier. We were good on our double duty. I mean, I thought we did we had a good practice. You’ve had Horvad and Drew together since since day one of camp. How have you seen the chemistry kind of uh develop between the two of them? Very pleased. I mean, obviously, I mean, they played what, three games. Um but um yeah, I feel like in the practice I feel like I see like Joe Dwine feeling more and more comfortable in our practices and and you know seeing Bo and I think it’s going to take a little bit time but I feel like I like where they are. How excited are you just for the start of the season? I am very excited. I mean it’s um it’s a new chapter and and I look forward to it. I mean, uh, every season are you’re always nervous about the the the first game, but I feel like we’re ready for that first game. We’ve been practicing well. We talk about what how we won. I mean, we want to bring the joy. We want compassion. We want bold. So, I mean, we talk a lot those things and I think it’s it’s it’s it’ll be fun to uh to start against Pittsburgh and then leaving tomorrow and good morning skate and play our game. You talk about joy and having fun a lot. Was that something maybe you thought was missing a little bit last year at all in terms of of that? I’m going back to last year. I’m sticking to this year if you don’t mind and and and focusing on what we learn. I think that’s the most important part. I mean, what did we learn over not just last year or not the year before, what I learned since I’ve been in the coaching or as a player and try to bring it to to this group. And I’m focusing on on on this right now. Matthew Schaefer swagger. Can that be infectious to even some of the older guys in the locker room? Can that rub off even on on you? I would say yes. Um it’s a bit like uh and I don’t want to go compare the two players, but when you watch Mar playing, you’re excited. You look at him and I think he has that that gift. So time would tell, but I mean when I look at him moving with that puck, it’s exciting. Not just for me players, I think our fans going to have fun, too. Do you do you sense this is a faster team? Not just because of Schaer, but you know, you get get Druin in there. Maybe Shabanov get Shabanov a healthy declare even. Is this a faster team? I think we are. Um I think we are. And what I like is the way we shape up our lines. There’s a little bit grit on every line. So, I mean, I think it’s it’s it’s it’s a good mix right now. So, look forward to see how it’s going to go uh in Pittsburgh and the start of their season. Talk about what a dynamic player Matt Barzell is, but what about his game kind of gets elevated when he’s back at center and playing with Lee and Paul Mary? I like I know it’s going to take a bit time for Barsy. Uh, but I thought at the second and third period in Philly, he was getting more comfortable and and um I do believe that um the two good runs this organization had in the past what eight or nine 10 years it was with Barzee as a centerman. So I still believe that that’s that’s the path I would like to go and until the contrary. So, as of now, I’m comfortable to see him and I feel like he’s going to be more and more comfortable as a center. He’s going to be more free. He’s going to skate and I feel like Barzy’s committed to play well defensively as well. So, we’ll see how it goes. But right now, I’m very positive on it. How much do you think Barzie learned about the defensive side of the game with playing with Horvat the last year and a half? I Good good question. I think he did and I’m sure it will. Yeah, good point. I think he it really will really help him a lot. I mean, you know, like I think Bo is is 200 feet guy and I think Barzi is capable of doing this and I have no doubt I I have a lot of trust in
Hear from Matthew Schaefer, Marc Gatcomb, Anders Lee, Max Tsyplakov and Head Coach Patrick Roy after today’s practice at Northwell Health Ice Center!
