Isles Day to Day: Pelech Participates in Optional Morning Skate

After skating on his own for the better part of a week, Adam Pelech joined teammates for an optional morning skate on Thursday.
That was an important step for the Islanders defenseman, who has been sidelined since suffering an injury on Dec. 6 against the St. Louis Blues.
There's no timetable set for Pelech's return.

"He's getting closer, whatever that closer might be," Head Coach Lane Lambert said. "Now that he's back on the ice, it's a big step for us."

This season, Pelech has scored 11 points (3G, 8A) in 27 games. He averages 20:49 TOI per game, which ranks second on the team, and is tied for the team lead leads with a +12 rating. Pelech has 41 shot blocks and 39 hits.
Pelech has missed the Islanders' last 15 games, so even having the defenseman back in an optional skate was a boost.
"It provided some energy," Brock Nelson said. "Even today, just at the morning skate here with the guys. It's fun to see him out there. Just another good guy in the room, a quiet, but funny guy and obviously a great player at what he does. Getting him back could be huge and seeing the progression right now it's a good sign for us."