Ahead of the New York Islanders' matchup against the Tampa Bay Lightning, general manager Lou Lamoriello provided updates on Mathew Barzal & Oliver Wahlstrom

TAMPA BAY, FL -- New York Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello spoke ahead of morning skate here in Tampa and provided information about Mathew Barzal and Oliver Wahlstrom.

Let's start with the positives.

Mathew Barzal, who has not skated since sustaining a lower-body injury against the Boston Bruins on Feb. 18, will skate either today (Saturday) or tomorrow (Sunday).

"Whatever the progress is, how long it takes, I couldn't tell you," Lamoriello said. "He will be skating either today or tomorrow. And we'll just go from there."

The Islanders originally stated that Barzal was out indefinitely, but that status was quickly updated to week-to-week. The fact that he will miss his 18th game Saturday, six weeks to the day, is not a shock to the organization.

"We originally said it's week-to-week which we were told. And then, upon more examination, it became a little longer than we thought, but right now, longer than we thought is where it's at. And him skating is extremely positive. And then we just go from there," Lamoriello said. 

As for Oliver Wahlstrom, who suffered a lower-body injury against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Dec. 27, he will not return this season. 

But Lamoriello assured us he would be ready for the 2023-24 season. 

"He will not be back this season, but he will definitely be ready before the summer's over," Lamoriello said.