The star playmaker nears a return to the ice following a missed season opener, forcing the Islanders to navigate roster constraints and defensive depth before his activation.
ELMONT, NY -- Forward Mathew Barzal is expected to return to skating later next week, either Thursday or Friday, the New York Islanders said on Saturday.
Barzal, who missed the Islanders' season-opening 2-1 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday due to left knee inflammation from his previous injury, will not be available for the Islanders' home opener on Saturday night against the New Jersey Devils.
The 28-year-old will also miss their Tuesday night showdown against the New York Rangers.
We will check his availability for Thursday's game against the Chicago Blackhawks and Saturday's game against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Because Barzal was placed on Injured Non-Roster, he is eligible to be activated and play that night, regardless of which night it is, as long as the Islanders remain roster-compliant.
However, Barzal isn't expecte d to play on Thursday or Saturday with general manager Mathieu Darche stating on Wednesday morning that he didn't think Barzal would need too many practices before he'd be ready to go.
It sounds like he'll need at least a few, so well see.
They'll have to see how Barzal is feeling once he resumes skating.
The Islanders are currently carrying eight defensemen, so the expectation is either Matt Kessel gets waived the day before Barzal is ready to go, or, don't expect this to happen, Victor Eklund can be sent to Hamilton, given his waiver exemption.
With Barzal out of the lineup, second-year NHLer Cal Ritchie assumes his position as the club's second-line center.
