The Islanders got 2026-27 training camp rolling with a mix of familiar names and a few guys whose road back has taken some time. By the time they turned their attention to Sunday afternoon’s preseason opener against the Devils in Newark, there was plenty to sort through.
Semyon Varlamov is back on the ice, and the mystery around his health finally has a clear answer: it was two partial knee replacements. He had already been on the ice late last season and made a couple AHL rehab starts, but seeing him back in camp still stands out.
Alex Romanov also returned after missing most of last season while going through 10 months of repair and rehab. Pete DeBoer echoed Mathieu Darche’s view that Romanov is in tremendous shape.
Pierre Engvall is back, too, after hip and ankle procedures wiped out his 2025-26 season. He said he feels in great shape and ready to go, while DeBoer pointed to the obvious challenge: there is intense competition at forward, and a full year away is a lot to overcome.
Mathew Barzal remains the biggest camp question. He has been “not skating” for most of camp, and Darche did not rule out a season-opening appearance, but said the team wants to take the long view and manage the injury flare-up. Darche also mentioned the Islanders’ extra centers being used on the wing, including Cal Ritchie getting another shot back at center.
The Islanders’ short preseason slate begins Sunday at 1 p.m. in Newark.
In Other News...
Pete DeBoer Is Pushing An Islanders Identity Change That Had To Happen
Pete DeBoers first full season behind the Islanders bench is shaping up as a course correction built on clarity. After a season in which the defensive end needed to look a lot cleaner, the message has been simple so far: keep the game organized, make the reads easier and lean into the kind of structure that lets players know exactly what is expected of them. Bo Horvat and Brayden Schenn have both noted how straightforward DeBoer has been, which matters for a team trying to establish a new standard rather than just patch over old problems.
The bigger challenge is making that identity show up everywhere else on the ice, not just in the defensive zone. The Islanders are also looking to rework their breakouts, improve how they handle the neutral zone and get more out of the power play, all while trying to make the team harder to play against in the areas that decide games. For a roster that needs its details sharpened, the change is less about flash than about habits, and that is exactly why it feels overdue. [Read more 🡒]
Devils Prospects Suddenly Have A Real Opening Night Opportunity
Training camp is giving the Devils a real chance to sort through a few young players before the roster gets locked in for opening night, and three prospects have quickly become names to watch. Amadeus Lombardi, Anton Silaev and Nico Daws are all in the mix as New Jersey works through its final decisions, with the preseason set to open Sept. 20 against the Islanders.
For New York, it is another early reminder that the teams around it are already treating these exhibition games like auditions with consequences. The Devils still have some sorting to do, but the camp chatter has made clear that this is not just about filling out the preseason lineup, and one of the more interesting roster battles is unfolding in goal, where Daws could force his way into a much bigger role if the opportunity stays open. [Read more 🡒]
Kyle Palmieri Returns With One Big Question For Islanders Fans
Kyle Palmieri is back at Islanders training camp after a long recovery from the ACL tear he suffered against the Flyers, and his return gives the club a familiar veteran presence at a time when every healthy body matters. After 10 months away, Palmieri said he was excited to get back into the team structure and start training with his teammates again, a welcome step for a player who spent much of his rehab focused on swimming and skating to rebuild his fitness.
For the Islanders, the encouraging part is seeing Palmieri moving through camp and looking like part of the group again. The bigger question now is how quickly he can translate all that rehab work into the pace and demands of the season, especially after missing so much time and having to reset his body from the ground up. [Read more 🡒]