Islanders winger Andrew Ladd continues to miss practice due to an undisclosed injury but GM Lou Lamoriello told reporters, including Newsday’s Andrew Gross (Twitter link), that although Ladd won’t be ready to start the season, LTIR is not a consideration at this point. The veteran has been skating on his own at times but the issue does not seem to be going away.
Meanwhile, it will be a while before the team gets a look at goalie prospect Linus Soderstrom. Arthur Staple of The Athletic notes (via Twitter) that the 22-year-old hasn’t skated in months due to injury and remains in Sweden working with a medical trainer. Accordingly, there is no timetable for when he will be able to play. Once he’s cleared, he’s expected to suit up with the Islanders’ AHL affiliate in Bridgeport.
More injury notes from around the Metropolitan Division:
- Washington center Travis Boyd is listed as week-to-week with a lower-body injury and will likely not be ready to start the season, notes Mike Vogel of the Capitals’ team site (Twitter link). That will open up a spot for Nic Dowd to take the fourth-line spot down the middle to start the campaign, filling the vacancy created by Jay Beagle when he signed in Vancouver. The two had been battling for that position with the other likely to be an extra player on the roster.
- Penguins winger Daniel Sprong is day-to-day with a lower-body injury, the team announced on Twitter. There’s no word yet as to whether or not he’ll be available to start the season. The 21-year-old is looking to crack Pittsburgh’s lineup on a full-time basis although he has spent a good chunk of the preseason in a depth role. However, he has shown flashes of offensive upside dating back to his time in junior and could be an intriguing player if he can eventually grab a hold of a spot on an offensive line.