Here are the latest news and possible return dates for Islanders players…
April 1, 11:30 a.m.
The Islanders appear closer to getting their star center back.
Mathew Barzal is excepted to skate Saturday or Sunday as he works his way back from a knee injury, according to general manager Lou Lamoriello.
“We 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’ll just go from there.”
Head coach Lane Lambert recently said that he expected Barzal to return before the end of the regular season. Including Saturday night’s matchup with the Lightning, New York has six games remaining.
Barzal has been out since he took a knee-to-knee hit against the Boston Bruins Feb. 18.
His absence has certainly been felt on the top line and power-play unit, but the Islanders have been playing some great hockey of late. With an 11-4-2 record while he’s been out, New York has claimed their way into the first Wild Card spot.
There’s no doubt though, getting him back out there would be a huge boost for this lineup as they look to make a playoff run. Prior to the injury, Barzal had 51 points (14 goals, 37 assists) in 58 games on the season.
Mar. 11, 11:45
The Islanders announced Saturday that Cal Clutterbuck had been activated from the team’s injured reserve list.
The veteran right winger has missed the Isles’ previous 20 games while dealing with an upper-body injury. Clutterbuck initially sustained the injury during the Isles’ 3-2 overtime loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Jan. 19.
In 34 games this season, the 35-year-old has tallied eight points (four goals and four assists) while averaging a shade over 12 minutes of ice time per game.
New York hosts the struggling Washington Capitals on Saturday night, and puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 28, 7:03 p.m.
Prior to their game against the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday, Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello updated the status of two injured players.
Jean-Gabriel Pageau, who was placed on IR with an upper-body injury on Feb. 16, retroactive to Feb. 11, is now considered day-to-day. While he hasn’t begun practicing yet, Pageau has started skating.
Meanwhile, Mathew Barzal is still considered week-to-week after sustaining a lower-body injury last weekend.
Feb. 20, 12:35 p.m.
The Islanders announced Monday that forward Mat Barzal is out indefinitely due to a lower-body injury he likely sustained in Saturday’s 6-2 defeat to the Boston Bruins.
The Islanders will have to keep their playoff hopes alive without the 25-year-old playmaker; they currently occupy the second of two Eastern Conference Wild Card spots (though level on points with the Pittsburgh Penguins the Isles have played four more games). New York is one point ahead of the Washington Capitals and Florida Panthers.
In 58 games this season, Barzal had 51 points (14 goals and 37 assists) good for second-best on the club.
The Isles recalled Arnaud Durandeau from their AHL Bridgeport Islanders, and he could make his NHL debut Monday night in Pittsburgh.
Feb. 16, 11 p.m.
The Islanders announced Thursday that Jean-Gabriel Pageau was placed on IR with an upper-body injury. The designation is retroactive to Feb. 11.
Pageau was a late scratch before Tuesday’s game against the Senators. Before the injury, the 30-year-old center posted 29 points (10 goals) through 56 games this season.
In a corresponding move, the Islanders recalled Andy Andreoff on loan from the Bridgeport Islanders. Andreoff played six games with the Islanders last season, when he recorded one goal.
Jan. 21, 9:40 a.m.
The Islanders announced on Saturday morning that winger Cal Clutterbuck will be out indefinitely due to an upper-body injury.
Clutterbuck left Thursday night’s game against the Buffalo Sabres in the second period and never returned.
Following the game, head coach Lane Lambert initially labeled the scrappy winger as day-to-day. After further evaluation, it appears Clutterbuck may miss more time than expected.
The 35-year-old has batted his fair share of injuries this season, appearing in just 34 games to this point. Clutterbuck has mainly played on the fourth line, and has recorded eight points and 18 penalty minutes.
In his place, the Islanders have recalled youngster Aatu Raty from Bridgeport. He scored the first two goals of his NHL career in a brief stint with the team earlier this season.
Jan. 6, 9:15 p.m.
Prior to the Islanders matchup against the Calgary Flames on Friday night, the team announced that Mathew Barzal will be out of the game with a lower body injury. He’s considered day-to-day.
Barzal has been one of the best players for New York this season. In 40 games, he’s scored 11 goals and put up 41 points. Prior to missing Friday’s game, Barzal had scored a goal in five straight games.
The Isles put Aatu Raty in the lineup in Barzal’s place for Friday’s game.
Jan. 6, 6:47 p.m.
Kyle Palmieri is not ready to return to the Islanders lineup, coach Lane Lambert told Newsday’s Andrew Gross before Friday’s matchup against the Flames.
Palmieri was placed on injured reserved Dec. 1, retroactive to Nov. 21 with an upper body injury. In 20 games this season, the 31-year-old has six goals and nine points.
Lambert also had no update on whether Adam Pelech (upper body) has resumed skating. The defenseman was placed on injured reserve retroactive to Dec. 6 and has three goals and 11 points in 27 games this season.
Jan. 5, 7:10 p.m.
The New York Islanders announced prior to Thursday night’s game against the Oilers that they’ve activated Cal Clutterbuck from injured reserve.
Clutterbuck returned to practice Saturday, and has been progressing well. After he participated in the Islanders’ morning skate on Wednesday, head coach Lane Lambert said the right winger was “getting closer.”
Clutterbuck was ruled a game-time decision heading into Thursday night’s game, and the team has decided he’s ready to roll.
During line rushes at Monday’s practice, he was skating alongside Matt Martin and rookie Aatu Raty.
Clutterbuck missed the last eight games with an upper-body injury. The scrappy winger has three goals, five points, and 98 hits across 26 games this season.
Dec. 30, 10:53 a.m.
The Islanders placed right wings Simon Holmstrom and Oliver Wahlstrom on injured reserve due to lower-body injuries.
Holmstrom is day-to-day. The move is retroactive to Dec. 23.
Walstrom, on the other hand, is out indefinitely with the move retroactive to Dec. 27.
In 14 games, Holmstrom has two points on a goal and an assist.
Walhstrom, meanwhile, logged 35 games with 16 points on seven scores and nine helpers.
The Islanders are 21-14-2 and on a three-game winning streak entering an 8 p.m. matchup at the Seattle Kraken on New Year’s Day.
Source: Yahoo Sports
