Mathew Barzal's teammates likely knew he would hit the ice over the next 48 hours before we found out on Saturday morning.
But that didn't stop their excitement as the team was upbeat at Saturday's skate, knowing that no. 13 had taken a major step forward.
"That's great. He's obviously making his progressions and getting his health back, and it's obviously exciting and looking forward to him continuing on that line," Islanders captain Anders Lee told The Hockey News.
Like a few other teammates, Lee has dealt with a long-term injury, and it is tough to sit out while your teammates go to battle.
"It's really hard mentally. I mean, you just got to be patient," Lee said. "You got to put a lot of work in, and you got to really trust the process and push yourself as hard as you can to make it back as soon as you can. I think there's a lot you can do every day.
"And sometimes you take a step forward, and the next step is a little bit harder, but it's all about continuing to just push through it."
READ MORE: Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello Provides Update on Barzal & Wahlstrom
Bo Horvat is looking forward to getting his linemates back, as he hasn't been able to produce to the same level with Barzal, not by his side.
"It's obviously great to hear. I know he was itching to get back on the ice," Horvat told THN. "And whenever you hear that, hopefully, everything goes well, and he can get back in here soon because we miss him in here.
"And so you hope he can step right back in and do what he was doing before."
Horvat continued: "I'm really excited. Obviously, we had good chemistry early, and you know, hopefully, we will continue that when he gets back."
Teammate Brock Nelson said Barzal has been around the team often during his recovery.
"We've seen him around the rink a lot," Nelson told THN. "Even though he hasn't been skating, to see him take that step is encouraging and uplifting for us for sure. Franchise player. Great guy."
"I think he's doing well and maintaining a positive attitude. I know it's tough to be out as an athlete, but I think, you know, him being close for us is huge for us."
Teammate Kyle Palmieri, who missed significant time this season, offered insight into Barzal's situation.
"I think it gets tough when we go on the road, and you're stuck at home, and it's hard to come into the rink," Palmieri said. "It's empty. Maybe one other guy, two other guys, but for the most part, even when you're skating, you're shooting by yourself, and it gets lonely, I guess.
"You're used to being around 20 to 25 guys every day and having that camaraderie, and so I think it's it's good and healthy for him to kind of get back into the mix of things, and we're looking forward to having him on the ice with us to practice."
For Oliver Wahlstrom, his return is not coming this season.
That's a tough pill to swallow for the 22-year-old, who was showing growth in his game, especially on the defensive side of the puck.
"Extremely disappointing that he hasn't been able to play since just before Christmas," Islanders head coach Lane Lambert said. "And I just thought he was really coming along. He adds a certain element to our hockey team that was, at that point, needed. And we miss him, and it's just a matter of him getting better and getting ready for what's to come next."
Like Barzal, Wahlstrom has been around the team as well.
"We see him see a bunch too. So I think that's one of the most positive things about the group is, you know, everyone's pretty tight, close associates want to check in," Nelson told THN. "All those guys are in constant communication."
Lee suffered a torn ACL in early March of 2021. Although Wahlstrom's injury has never been officially shared, the belief is that Wahlstrom suffered the same fate.
"Wally and I have a much similar, you know, the path is one that we have a lot of common ground in," Lee told THN. "And one that we've leaned on one another for this process, and it's a long road, but he's taken it on.
"I've seen the work he's put in and everything he's doing. He's not taking any shortcuts, and he's going to come back fine."
The New York Islanders battle the Tampa Bay Lightning Saturday night at 7 PM ET