Islanders Welcome a Pair Back to Practice

On Saturday afternoon, the New York Islanders took the ice for practice at Climate Pledge Arena a day before their New Year’s Day contest against the Seattle Kraken.

Despite the usual group on the ice, the New York Islanders welcomed netminder Semyon Varlamov to the practice sheet, along with forward Cal Clutterbuck. Both are on Injured Reserve, but both can be activated off IR when they are ready for game action.

Varlamov has missed the last five games with a lower-body injury after leaving the contest against the Vegas Golden Knights with 6:30 to play in the third period.

Clutterbuck, who has been in and out of the lineup this season with a variety of injuries, has missed the last six contests.

Forward Kyle Palmieri, the other member of the injured traveling party, made the trip west but did not practice Saturday with the group.

He did come on at the end of the skate, per Kevin Kurz.

He has missed the Islanders’ last six contests and 16 of the Islanders’ last 17 games with an upper-body injury.

Also at practice was Aatu Räty and netminder Cory Schneider, as they have not been sent back to Bridgeport just yet, per The Athletic’s Kevin Kurz.

The Islanders currently have two open roster spots, with Oliver Wahlstrom and Simon Holmstrom being added to IR Saturday morning. Because of the openings, the Islanders would not need to waive or option anyone to Bridgeport when either Clutterbuck or Palmieri are ready to go.

Wahlstrom, Holmstrom, and Adam Pelech did not make the trip out west.

As for the goaltending situation, Schneider was an emergency recall and does not need to pass through waivers to be sent back to Bridgeport.

The Islanders play the Kraken Sunday, Jan. 1 at 8 PM ET.