The Islanders got some extra help Monday morning.
No, not in the form of a trade – Lou Lamoriello kept things quiet as the hours ticked down to the 3 p.m. deadline – but with the returns of both Andrew Ladd and Thomas Hickey.
Both were full participants in practice at the Northwell Health Ice Center and, coach Barry Trotz said, should soon make their returns – and just in time, too, as the Islanders get ready to kick off a five-game home stretch against some hefty divisional opponents.