NY Islanders Dealt Brutal Injury News

In somewhat shocking news on Monday, the New York Islanders announced forward Mathew Barzal is out indefinitely. Sounds like a knee on knee hit against the Boston Bruins has left his knee injured and now he's considered week to week. While the hope is he will play again this season, this may not be the case. 

Mathew Barzal out indefinitely with a lower body injury, per Islanders.

Devastating news.

— Kevin Kurz (@KKurzNHL) February 20, 2023

The Islanders are in the thick of a Stanley Cup Playoff race in the Eastern Conference and were going for it this season with the recent blockbuster acquisition of Bo Horvat. Now with Barzal out, Horvat and the rest of the forward group are going to have to step up in a major way to win some crucial games down the stretch.

Barzal has appeared in 58 games this season, collecting 51 points. He signed through the 2030-31 season as his mega extension kicks in next season, paying him $9.5 million annually. The team will be moving Barzal to LTIR and could have some serious cap space to work with before the March 3 trade deadline. Does Uncle Lou have another big move in his back pocket? 

Photo credit:   Jessica Alcheh-USA TODAY Sports