What is the story about?
The Islanders opened the 2026-27 training camp with some primarily familiar faces, though a few notable ones have not been seen on the ice in a while. As they got their bearings and prepared for Sunday afternoon’s preseason opener vs. the Devils, there was lots to catch up on.
The Returning Injured Guys
- Semyon Varlamov is really here. He was not ready to retire. Okay, he was actually on the ice at the end of last season and even got a couple AHL rehab starts in. But it’s still miraculous to see him, and we’ve got the answer to the question, finally, that it was two partial knee replacements. (I confess I didn’t know “partial” was a thing for this. Will now go back to my aunts and uncles and ask which ones they got.) [Isles | Post]
- Alex Romanov missed most of last season with 10 months of repair and rehab. Pete DeBoer echoes Mathieu Darche’s evaluation that Romanov is in tremendous shape. [Isles]
- And there’s Pierre Engvall — yes, he’s still here and still handsome. Hip and ankle procedures wiped out his 2025-26, which may have been better for all concerned. He feels he’s in great shape and ready to go. Pete DeBoer says the obvious, that there is intense competition at forward and a year off is a lot to overcome. [Isles | Post]
- And of course Mathew Barzal, a surprise “not skating” for the bulk of camp. Darche did not rule out him making the season opener, but he said they want to play the long game and manage his injury flare-up. He noted the Isles’ extra centers who are slotted for wing — like Cal Ritchie getting a chance back at center. [Newsday]
Islanders Camp Begins
- Here’s how they lined up and shared the nets for scrimmages on Day 2. DeBoer notes there’s not a lot of time to get their power play and penalty kill up to speed. [Isles]
- And here’s how they shifted things around on Day 3. One note was DeBoer getting Matthew Schaefer some reps on the right side, because he figures that will be necessary at times, or even for long stretches depending on who makes the roster behind him. [Isles]
- Victor Eklund scored again in the first scrimmage; he and other youngsters have to impress quickly in order to make the roster. [Newsday | THN]
The Islanders brief preseason schedule opens Sunday at 1 p.m. in Newark.
Check Out The SB Nation App
Hey, this is a personal PSA — I’ve no dog in the campaign for the new SB Nation app, and I’m not someone who uses a lot of apps, period (#oldman). But I have
found it useful and pretty nifty for navigating the site (and hopping between other team sites) by phone.
You can get it from the Apple store or the Android store (and I’m told, unlike at launch, it is also now available in Canada).
