"It's forced me to be extremely focused this summer, and kind of put every drop of energy into getting back. I'm obviously a competitor, and I don't take anything for granted. So I want to get back to where I was pre-injury. And I think I did a great job this summer of getting my strength back and mentally being getting stronger and feel good."
"Head coach Patrick Roy confirmed Barzal will start camp at center, his natural position, and could be flanked by captain Anders Lee and veteran Kyle Palmieri. Barzal spent much of last season on Bo Horvat's wing, a role he's open to reprising if needed, but he welcomes the chance to control the middle of the ice again. "I'm excited. I'm ready for it," Barzal said. "[Center is] a little more involved, maybe around the ice, but like I said, I'll play anywhere.""
Mathew Barzal enters training camp healthy and focused after an offseason of concentrated strength and mental preparation following two injuries that limited him to 30 games. An upper-body injury in October and a lower-body injury in February interrupted the season, but Barzal produced 20 points in limited action and previously recorded 80 points in 80 games when fully healthy. The team plans to start him at center, with potential linemates Anders Lee and Kyle Palmieri, though he remains willing to play wing if needed. A healthy Barzal is viewed as central to the Islanders' hopes of returning to playoff contention amid a deep Eastern Conference.
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