trim_14028474-D033-4FF6-B654-3A09671C9AFC Congrats, you made it to Friday. This Friday is a bit different than most, as we are now in the NHL's holiday roster freeze. From 12:01 this morning until 12:01 on Dec. 27, teams cannot make trades, place players on waivers, or assign any plays to the minor leagues. Teams are also unable to place any players on long-term injured reserve. This freeze protects players and their families from being moved. So, how does the freeze affect the New York Islanders [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/latest-news/new-york-islanders-anthony-duclair-grant-hutton-pierre-engvall-isaiah-george-waivers-nhl-injury]? During the duration of the freeze, the Islanders will play two games, and the belief is that Anthony Duclair will be able to return from his lower-body injury either on Saturday against the Toronto Maple Leafs or Tuesday against the Buffalo Sabres. After waiving defenseman Grant Hutton and seeing him clear at 2 PM on Thursday and placing goaltender Semyon Varlamov on long-term injured reserve, the Islanders now have the cap space and roster spot for Duclair. All the Islanders have to do is click the activation button.
