Barzal & All-Star EAST MEADOW, NY -- It's been over seven weeks since New York Islanders [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/latest-news/mathew-barzal-new-york-islanders-nhl-all-star-game-2024-media-dobson] defenseman Ryan Pulock [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/latest-news/ryan-pulock-new-york-islanders-long-term-injured-reserve] hit the ice with his teammates. After suffering a lower-body injury against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Dec. 7, landing on injured reserve and then long-term injured reserve, there had been no signs of the top-pairing defenseman. It had been radio silence from the organization with minimal updates as questions loomed regarding his availability to return not just after the All-Star break but return at all. Then, news broke that Pulock had been activated off of LTIR on Saturday, meaning that the 29-year-old blue liner was indeed ready, at the minimum, to hit the ice with his teammates ahead of their game against the Toronto Maple Leafs Monday night. And when the Islanders held practice on Sunday, No. 6 did take part, his first skate under Patrick Roy. This story will be updated after we speak with Pulock and Roy.
