With the New York Islanders in Edmonton for their final game before Monday's 3 p.m. EST NHL trade deadline, they won't need to get too creative if they add a player -- say a depth forward for a pick, or even via waiers -- before rosters expand.
Two injury updates help outline where things stand: defenseman Calvin de Haan rejoined the Isles in Edmonton, according to Arthur Staple of Newsday. While that means he could play on this road trip, which concludes Thursday in Winnipeg (though the Isles' first game back in at the Garden against the Rangers), he certainly won't be activated from injured reserve before Sunday's game against the Oilers. Consequently, there's no reason to activate him before Monday's trade deadline. Ryan Pulock, recalled from AHL Bridgeport after de Haan's injury, is expected to make his NHL debut Sunday.
From the same report, forward Mikhail Grabovski is also skating, though still back in New York and a week or two away, according to Staple. Grabovski was not placed on IR, but the Isles could do so if they needed to make room for acquisitions to get through the deadline.
Also keep in mind, the NHL restricts teams to four recalls from the AHL between the trade deadline and the end of the regular season. Pulock, already with the team, doesn't count toward that total (unless he's returned and then recalled sometime down the stretch). If he impresses in his first action and de Haan returns soon as expected, the Islanders' defense is probably set without any outside additions.