Hockey Canada announced on Tuesday that New York Islanders forward Mathew Barzal will miss the 2026 IIHF World Championships as a precaution due to a pre-existing minor injury:
Barzal, who sustained a season-ending knee injury that required surgery in February of 2025 did take maintenance days throughout the 2025-26 season.
Come season's end, the 28-year-old forward said that his injury takes a year or two to truly feel back to normal and that he had to work through things throughout the season.
Barzal recorded an assist in Canada's 6-1 exhibition game win over France on Saturday.
This past season, the center-turned-winger-turned-center again recorded 19 goals and 53 assists for 72 points in 81 games.
1