Mathew Barzal #13 of the New York Islanders skates during a game against the Philadelphia Flyers at the Wells Fargo Center (Image via Getty Images) The New York Islanders are getting ready for the 2025-26 NHL season, and their training camp is set to start on September 17, 2025. Forward Mathew Barzal gave an update on how his recovery is going from the injuries he suffered in the 2024-25 season, mentioning that he would be all set to play if a game were to take place immediately.
Mathew Barzal required surgery after the injury and did not return for the final 31 games
Mathew Barzal had to sit out a large part of the 2024-25 season due to various injuries. Early in the season, he suffered an upper-body injury during a game with the Columbus Blue Jackets in late October 2024, which kept him out for 21 games.During an away game against the Tampa Bay Lightning on February 1, 2025, Barzal blocked a shot from Taylor Raddish. He went down on the ice and had difficulty getting back up, so he didn’t return for overtime. This incident caused a kneecap injury that required surgery, putting him out for the last 31 games of the season. In total, Barzal missed 52 games in the 2024-25 season, limiting his appearances to just 30.On September 8, 2025, Barzal spoke to reporters and provided details on his rehabilitation process. He stated, “I’d be 100% ready to suit up if we had a game tomorrow.” This comment was shared by Matt Larkin, Managing Editor and Senior Writer at Daily Faceoff, via a post on X.Barzal shared some details about his recovery from the kneecap injury that ended his season, pointing out that he’s seeing some progress in his rehab. Still, he also said on the same day that while he feels ready for the 2025-26 season, his knee might not fully heal.
Mathew Barzal built a reputation for reliability before injuries tested his durability
Leading up to the 2024-25 season, Barzal had built a reputation for being reliable in the NHL. Prior to the 2022-23 season, he had only been sidelined for 13 games in his entire career. Unfortunately, in the 2022-23 season, he suffered his first serious injury, which kept him out for 23 games due to a knee issue. In the 2023-24 season, he only missed one game.The 2023-24 season really showed how valuable Barzal is to the Islanders. He hit a career-high with 23 goals and racked up 57 assists, bringing his total to 80 points. During the playoffs that year, he netted two goals and dished out three assists over five games. The Islanders made it to the playoffs in 2023-24 but got knocked out in the first round.Also Read: LeBron James’ retirement unsettles Los Angeles Lakers bench with no clarity in sightThe Islanders ended the 2024-25 season without a playoff spot, and Barzal’s limited appearance in just 30 games pointed out some weaknesses in their forward scoring. With training camp on the horizon, Barzal’s readiness is a big plus, making him an important player in the team’s center lineup for the upcoming season.