Isles Day to Day: Barzal to Start Skating

Mathew Barzal will be skating either on Saturday or Sunday on Long Island, Islanders President and General Manager Lou Lamoriello told reporters ahead of the team's optional morning skate in Tampa Bay.
Barzal has been out since Feb. 18 with a lower-body injury. Lamoriello said there was no timetable on Barzal's return.

"He will begin skating either today or tomorrow and then whatever the progress is, how long it takes, I couldn't tell you," Lamoriello said. "The doctors, the physical therapists, they will determine [the timeline]."
Barzal was originally announced to be out indefinitely, though the team revised the prognostication to be week-to-week. The Islanders have gone 11-4-2 in 17 games without Barzal.
"We were originally said it's week-to-week, which we were told, and upon more examination it became a little bit longer than we thought," Lamoriello said. "Him skating is extremely positive and we just go from there."

Barzal has 51 points (14G, 37A) in 58 games this season. While getting back on the ice doesn't mean a return is imminent, it was welcome news inside the Islanders locker room.
"It's great news. I think he's itching to get back and we're all itching for him to get back as well," Bo Horvat said. "He brings a lot to the team and a lot of offensive skill and he's going to bring more of that to what we have right now. Happy he's skating and hopefully he gets back here soon."
Horvat and Barzal had instant chemistry after Horvat's acquisition, as it paired the playmaking Barzal with an adept triggerman. Horvat had three goals in his first four games centering Barzal and has only scored three goals in 17 games since Barzal's injury, though he's found other ways to contribute over that span.
"Our games kind of complement each other," Horvat said. "He likes to hang onto pucks and I like to find open space, so he's a really good passer, I was trying to get into open spots for him and he was finding me. Hopefully we can continue that when he gets back."

WAHLSTROM OUT FOR SEASON:

While the Islanders received good news about Barzal on Saturday, Lamoriello confirmed that forward Oliver Wahlstrom will indeed miss the remainder of the regular season.
"He will not be back this season, but he will definitely be ready before the summer is over," Lamoriello said.
Wahlstrom has been out with a lower-body injury since Dec. 27. The 22-year-old has 16 points (7G, 9A) in 35 games this season.
"It's extremely disappointing," Head Coach Lane Lambert said of Wahlstrom's injury. "He was really coming along and adds a certain element to our hockey team. We've missed him and it's just a matter of him getting better and getting ready for what's to come next."
Noah Dobson, who was drafted one pick after Wahlstrom in the 2018 Draft and is a close friend, said he's been trying to support Wahlstrom during his recovery.
"You just try and be there for him," Dobson said. "Obviously injuries happen, it's part of the game, but it's definitely disappointing for him, I've spent some time with him, go out for dinners and stuff and keep his spirits up. He's going to be working hard and he'll come back stronger for sure."

AHO WITH ISLES IN TAMPA:

Sebastian Aho will not play on Saturday night, but the Islanders defenseman is with the team in Tampa and participated in the Islanders optional morning skate.
Aho has been out since March 18 and has missed five games over that span. The 27-year-old defenseman has set new career-highs in goals (5), assists (16), points (21) and games played (66) in his fourth season with the Islanders.
"He pushes the puck up the ice for us and competes hard," Lambert said. "He's had a great season and so we look forward to getting him back when we do."

LAMORIELLO ON FREE AGENT SIGNINGS

The Islanders
signed a pair of college free agent defensemen on Friday
, adding more depth to the organization in the form of Aidan Fulp and Travis Mitchell. The two-year, two-way (NHL/AHL) deals kick in next season, but both players signed amateur tryout agreements on Saturday, allowing them to play in Bridgeport this year.
"Our scouts have seen them and spent a lot of time with them," Lamoriello said. "We're fortunate to get them. We're glad we've got them, certainly size and strength is something there. One is a left shot and one is a right shot. They're both in Bridgeport right now, so they'll get acclimated to the organization and I'm sure get into the lineup before the season's over. So extremely positive for us."