The Islanders’ veterans reported for training camp on Thursday while their former captain John Tavares was doing so with the Maple Leafs.
And Mathew Barzal, best positioned to replace Tavares as the Islanders’ No. 1 center and face of the franchise, best summed up his teammates’ feeling that the past is just that and this training camp under new president and general manager Lou Lamoriello and new coach Barry Trotz represents a new beginning for the team.
“John is a great player and it’s tough to replace him but now that’s over with and we’ve got to look ahead,” Barzal, who won the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s rookie of the year in June, said on Thursday at Northwell Health Ice Center in East Meadow.