On Friday, Hockey Canada released the list of 42 NHLers who were invited to their Orientation Camp.
While New York Islanders forward Bo Horvat and former Islanders defenseman Noah Dobson were on the list, Mathew Barzal was not.
Islanders Bo Horvat Invited To Hockey Canada Orientation Camp
<a href="http://thn.com/isles">New York Islanders</a> forward <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/latest-news/islanders-mathew-barzal-bo-horvat-not-going-anyhwere">Bo Horvat</a> is one of 42 NHL players who were invited to <a href="https://hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/news/orientation-camp-rosters-set-2025-news">Team Canada's Orientation Camp</a>, which will be held in Calgary from Aug. 26-28.
The 28-year-old forward would have hoped to represent Team Canada at the NHL's 4 Nations tournament, which took place last February.
His role, given their stacked lineup, would have been as a bottom-six forward.
However, due to an upper-body injury sustained in the 10th game of the season, his chances of making the team became slim to none.
But making Canada’s World Championship team was technically possible, depending on how Barzal bounced back from the injury.
After missing 21 games with the upper-body injury, eliminating himself from 4 Nations, Barzal returned on Dec. 15. However, less than two months later, Barzal sustained a season-ending lower-body injury after blocking a shot off the left kneecap in Tampa on Feb. 1.
Barzal is 100% healthy and is now doing the necessary rehab to get in game shape ahead of training camp. His primary focus is on helping the Islanders, as it should be, but there’s no question that not being included in Hockey Canada’s orientation roster will provide an added boost.
Hockey Canada is aware that Barzal isn’t game-ready, but that’s not the only reason he wasn’t invited to this camp, since Edmonton Oilers forward Zach Hyman was included.
Barzal will have to hit the ground running in 2024-25 to get back on Canada’s radar.
While it will ultimately fall on Barzal’s shoulders, his linemates will play a big part if he does get a chance to represent Canada.
At this point in time, we are not sure who his linemates will be come the fall. We just know that, at least to start, he will be moving back to center after the better part of a few seasons on Horvat’s wing.
Will Anders Lee and Simon Holmstrom be flanking him? What about newcomer Maxim Shabanov or second-year NHLer Maxim Tsyplakov?
How about Anthony Duclair, if he can bounce back from his groin injury and keep pace with No. 13?
Forget Hockey Canada and the Olympics for a second.
The Islanders need to see Barzal gel with linemates out of the gate if they are going to be a more consistent team in 2025-26.
The 2026 Winter Olympics will be held in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, beginning Feb. 11 and concluding with the gold medal game on Feb. 22.
The Islanders open their season on Oct. 9 against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
PHOTO: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images