Ryan Pulock returns from injury, Islanders nearly healthy

NHL

by ethan sears

TORONTO — The Islanders moved a few steps closer to being healthy Sunday by placing Ryan Pulock off long-term injured reserve and returning him from the All-Star break against the Maple Leafs.

Pulock, who suffered a lower-body injury Dec. 7 against the Blue Jackets, had missed the past 24 games before participating in Sunday's practice.

If he returns Monday in Toronto, he will return to a blueline that needs help after injuries have hampered the group's activities all season.

Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello told reporters in New York on Sunday that both Pulock and Adam Pelech (upper body) are considered game-time decisions for Monday's game against the Maple Leafs. Told.

Purok and Perek skated as a pair during practice.

“I feel good,” Purok told reporters. “I think we'll have a discussion with the coaches.” [whether to play Monday]. I feel good and I'm trying to prepare for this and get ready to come back. Let's help the team win and try to inch our way towards the playoffs here so we can be a part of it too. ”

To facilitate Pulock's $6.15 million salary off LTIR, the Islanders moved Casey Cizikas (upper body) and Robert Bortuzzo (lower body) to long-term injured reserve.

This would allow him to exceed the salary cap by $3.45 million.

For both Cizikas and Bortuzzo, the LTIR designation is unlikely to impact their time schedules.

Bortuzzo has already missed the mandatory minimum of 24 days and 10 games, but Cizikas will reach the 10-game threshold on Monday.

But both are on the path to full health. Cizikas practiced in a non-contact jersey with the team in New York on Sunday. Bortuzzo started skating on his own.

Pelech, who has been called up on a daily basis, suffered a probable head injury 10 days ago in Montreal after taking an unfair elbow from Brendan Gallagher.

Having both him and Purok back would ease the workload for Noah Dobson and Alexander Romanoff, with Dobson averaging 25 minutes, 59 seconds per night and Romanoff right behind at 22 minutes, 28 seconds. There are advantages.

“If we reduce their ice time to 20, 25 minutes and increase that time; [of Pelech and Pulock], I think we'll be better,'' Islanders coach Patrick Roy told reporters on Sunday. “And I don't think they're going to get as tired on the ice, and I think that's going to be very helpful to our team.

“It was good to give Noah and Romy more ice time and I think it helped them grow. But now with those two guys coming back and playing against the top line, the team is better. I think it will be.”

In a final line that has seen Pelech, Purok, Bortuzzo, Scott Mayfield and Sebastian Aho suffer multiple injuries this season, the Islanders have struggled with injury after injury and have started just eight players in the opening game this year. Only times.

If there is light at the end of the tunnel now, that would be most welcome.

The Islanders will have to do some salary cap gymnastics once they are fully healthy.

Julien Gauthier was already a casualty for that reason when the Islanders waived him during the All-Star break and officially sent the winger to AHL Bridgeport on Saturday.

Simon Holmstrom was also sent off to Bridgeport during the break for cap reasons, but was recalled before Sunday's practice.

But such a maneuver would be a small price to pay if it meant the band would be reunited.

“I think Ryan was a little rusty, which is normal, but he's been working hard to get back into the lineup, so I'm really happy with the way he practiced,” Roy said. “From the time I got here until he got injured against Montreal, he was one of our better defensemen, if not our best 'D'. I'm very happy with him. They are great veterans and very important players to our team.”