ELMONT, NY -- New York Islanders offseason signing Anthony Duclair played only five games before suffering a lower-body injury against the Montreal Canadiens on Oct. 19. 

However, after missing five weeks and 17 games, there's some positive news on the 29-year-old.

Per the Islanders, Duclair is skating on his own, which is a positive sign that his return is drawing near. 

Because forward Mathew Barzal and his $9.15 are on LTIR, the Islanders won't need to clear cap space to activate Duclair and his $3.5 million out of LTIR. 

They will, however, have to create a roster spot.

Defenseman Adam Pelech, who is also skating on his own after suffering a jaw injury on Nov. 1 against the Buffalo Sabres, was only placed on IR, so if the Islanders needed a roster spot, we could see him land on LTIR. 

That would also clear an additional $5.75 million. 

Barzal is not skating on his own yet, and defenseman Mike Reilly, who had heart surgery, is out indefinitely.