Morning Skate Updates: Islanders vs Oilers

The New York Islanders take on the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday night at Barclays Center at 7 p.m. Buy Tickets. Watch on MSG+, MSG GO, or NHL.TV. Listen live on 88.7FM WRHU, 103.9FM LI News or online at radio.com/islanders. Read the game preview. Check the game notes.

LAMORIELLO, TROTZ ADDRESS MEDIA:

Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello and Head Coach Barry Trotz both addressed the media on Saturday morning. They addressed the Islanders announcement regarding their arenas for the 2019 playoffs, Andrew Ladd and Thomas Hickey's conditioning loans to Bridgeport, as well as the state of the team and other topics.

ANDERS LEE ON PLAYOFF ARENA ANNOUNCEMENT:

Islanders captain Anders Lee offered his thoughts on the Isles plan to play first-round playoff games at NYCB Live and any further rounds at Barclays Center, should the team qualify for the postseason.
"It's exciting either way. We have a lot of work to do to get to that point. Regardless of where we are it, it's going to be a great atmosphere. It's an exciting stretch we have to take of first and we'll deal with that later."

LADD, HICKEY LOANED FOR CONDITIONING:

Thomas Hickey and Andrew Ladd were loaned to Bridgeport for a conditioning stint, the Islanders announced on Saturday morning.
The conditioning loan is the next step in bringing the two injured players back into hockey shape, after skating on their own and with the team over the past month. The Sound Tigers host Hartford at 7 p.m. on Saturday and host Charlotte at 3 p.m. on Sunday and Hickey and Ladd will play in both games, per Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello.
Both players were also placed on long term injured reserve (LTIR) on Saturday. They do not need to be activated off IR once they complete their conditioning stints. For more, read Islanders Day to Day.

KOSKINEN TO START FOR OILERS:

As a result of the Cam Talbot-Anthony Stolarz trade, Mikko Koskinen gets the start for the Oilers, one night after playing in Carolina. Koskinen is 14-13-2 for the Oilers this season with a 2.86 GAA and a .907 SV%. The Finnish goalie is also a former Islander, drafted by the team in 2009 (R2, P31) and played four games with the team in the 2010-11 season, going 2-1-0.

OILERS ACQUIRE GAGNER:

The Oilers acquired forward Sam Gagner from the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday morning for Ryan Spooner. Gagner previously spent seven seasons in Edmonton, recording 295 points (101G, 194A) in 481 games. The veteran center had three points (1G, 2A) in seven games with the Canucks this season. Spooner had three points (2G, 1A) in 25 games with the Oilers after being acquired from the New York Rangers for Ryan Strome on Nov. 16.