BARZAL ABSENT FROM ISLES CAMP, DECLARED A HOLDOUT BY THE ORGANIZATION

With New York Islanders training camp officially under way, there is one very notable absence on day one, as star forward Mat Barzal is still without a contract. As is often the case in these types of scenarios, Barzal has elected to opt out of camp until a contract has been signed.

Isles head coach Barry Trotz has confirmed that the organization has declared Barzal a holdout, but would rather remain focused on what he can control, rather than what he cannot. In other words, he is content in working with what he has available to him immediately.

"You have to make sure you're adaptable," he said. "We're going to worry about who we can put on the ice," Trotz told The Athletic's Arthur Staple.

Barzal, a restricted free agent, is believed to be in Long Island continuing to negotiate a new deal with the Isles, so his status as a holdout could change in a hurry and his presence in camp could be immediate should a deal be reached in the coming days.



Though the Islanders have under $4M in remaining cap space, an additional $6M will become available to GM Lou Lamoriello by placing the recently retired Johnny Boychuk's contract on LTIR.