Ladd_Practice_2.1.19C

Thomas Hickey and Andrew Ladd joined the Islanders for their optional morning skate on Friday, a positive development for the two injured Isles.
Both Hickey, who's been out since Dec. 17 with an upper-body injury, and Ladd, who's been out with a lower-body injury since Nov. 13, are getting back into hockey shape, per GM Lou Lamoriello. Lamoriello said both of their injuries are behind them and the next step is getting their conditioning and timing back before joining the Islanders for regular practices.

"They are skating and it's just a case of them getting into condition so they are ready to play," Lamoriello said Thursday. "They are skating and they will taking optional practices… It's just getting in hockey shape."
As far as timelines go, Head Coach Barry Trotz said it's too early to tell, but both players are getting closer to joining the team for regular practices, the precursor to getting back into game action.

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      Morning Skate: NYI vs. TBL 2/1

      "That's really up to the doctor's and trainers and them," Trotz said. "I can tell you that they are getting close to hopefully joining the group, they've been talking about it. That conversation hasn't been talked about for a month or so, but it's coming into the conversation a bit. I don't have a date, but they are getting closer."
      Trotz said both players are working on the mental side of the game, as much as the physical, getting back things like timing and assignments and facing speed and pressure, things that can't be worked on in individual sessions.
      "Those little details, stopping and putting the brakes on, coming into d-zone coverage and being aware," Trotz said. "All those mental reps you've sort of got a great foundation, it takes a game or two to get back."

      Hickey_Skate_2.1.19C

      Hickey last skated with the Islanders on Jan. 7, before resuming individual sessions. Ladd hadn't skated with the team since mid-November, so Trotz said he'll have to shake a bit of the rust off. Trotz said when both players are ready to return, it'll be de facto trade deadline acquisitions for the Islanders.
      "Getting a veteran player with the pedigree of Andrew is a great add," Trotz said. "We've got a long time without Hickey as well, hopefully they come back in the next little while here and those will be great adds for us because they make us a deeper hockey team."