With Ross Johnston on waivers and Simon Holmstrom optioned to Bridgeport, the New York Islanders had 22 players on the ice for Tuesday's practice.

EAST MEADOW, NY -- With Ross Johnston on waivers and Simon Holmstrom optioned to Bridgeport, the New York Islanders had 22 players on the ice for Tuesday's practice.

With Holmstrom not with the squad right now, the speedy Julien Gauthier got to skate with Bo Horvat and Mathew Barzal on the Islanders' top line:

The expectation is that Gauthier won't be on the Islanders' top line to start the season, but his speed and simple game are attributes that definitely fit with the Islanders' dynamic duo. 

"I don't have to concentrate on deking a lot of guys or making all the really hard plays," Gauthier told The Hockey News. "I just get the puck in the zone, forecheck hard, hit and just go the net and get some shots."

Horvat knows what speed is, skating next to Barzal. Here's what he had to say about Gauthier's wheels.

"It's stupid fast. I mean, he's so explosive," Horvat said. "He just gallops down the ice. So it's nice to have that speed on your wing to push the defenders back. So he's a good player."

Moving on to the power play, the Islanders Islanders did switch some things up on their second power-play unit:

Oliver Wahlstrom, who continues to try to get up to game speed ahead of Saturday's season opener, served as the extra at practice. He stayed on after the team got off the ice to work with skills coach Troy Stevens for the second consecutive day. 

Cal Clutterbuck, who missed Monday's skate due to illness, was a full participant. 

The Islanders have four more days to go before their season begins when they host the Buffalo Sabres Saturday night at 7:30 PM.