As the World Championship approaches, rosters are beginning to take shape. Players in the New York Islanders’ organization have provided the most recent information to discuss on this matter.
After barely missing Canada’s Olympic roster, sensational Isles’ rookie Matthew Schaefer will not suit up for its World Championship team. Although no reason was given for this decision, it is reasonable to assume this is a simple matter of rest. The 18-year-old phenom is just coming off a season in which he appeared in all 82 games for New York, just one season after missing significant time due to a broken collar bone and an extended bout of mononucleosis.
On the positive side for Team Canada, Isles’ veteran forward Matthew Barzal has committed to the 2026 WC roster. Like Schaefer, Barzal also was snubbed for Canada’s Olympic team, presumably due in large part to his being forced to miss 52 games in 2024-25 with a knee injury requiring surgery. Barzal and his surgically-repaired knee showed no signs of slowing down this season, as he recorded 72 points (19G 53A) in 80 games in 2025-26.
With respect to Sweden, Isles’ forward prospect Victor Eklund will not appear for his country next month. Like Schaefer, rest is the most likely culprit in this case as well. Eklund is coming off a grinding season in which he appeared in 68 combined games in the NHL, SHL, AHL, and Sweden’s World Junior Team.
The good news for Sweden are the commitments received from Isles’ forwards Simon Holmstrom (2019 1st round, 23rd overall) & Emil Heineman (FLA 2020 2nd round, 43rd overall). This follows up the recent announcement that fellow draft prospects Viggo Bjorck and Ivar Stenberg have been named to Sweden’s preliminary WC roster.