Islanders announce 23-man roster that is Pulock-ready and Boulton free

The Islanders have nailed down the 23 guys they want to start their first season at Barclays Center with (with one extra guy who's on injured reserve) and the list includes a promising rookie, a goalie who wasn't even on the team yesterday and an empty space where a chest hair-plucking enforcer used to be.

The team announced the roster this afternoon, just past the 5 pm league deadline. The final line-up is:

*   *   *

Ryan Pulock officially makes the NHL roster out of camp a year later than some had expected. He impressed coaches last summer, but was injured as camp broke. Whether the 21-year-old defenseman is on the opening night roster in place of the injured Thomas Hickey remains up in the air.

Also ready for prime time is goalie Jean-Francois Berube, who was claimed off waivers today from Los Angeles as insurance against a possible injury to Jaroslav Halak. Berube's probably still in the air right now and has no idea he's even on this list so that'll be a pleasant surprise when he lands at LaGuardia.

Meanwhile, on the outside looking in, is 39-year-old facepuncher and locker room loosener Eric Boulton, who Arthur Staple believes will sign some kind of hall pass to practice with the team but not count against the roster. I'm not sure how legal that is, but if it keeps the guys happy and the roster open for more scoring, I'm all in favor.

So, there you go. Months of hashing and hemming and hawing and arguing and fake trades and hatred and wishing and projections are finally realized. I'm glad the guy you love made it and sorry the guy you want shot into the sun is still here.