New York Islanders Andrew Ladd on IR Brings Some Clarity to Third Line

New York Islanders General Manager Lou Lamoriello indicated that forward Andrew Ladd will be placed on injury reserve until he’s fully fit.

It looks like Andrew Ladd will be on injury reserve list for a little while longer. New York Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello said the veteran forward will be on IR until he’s 100 percent fit again.

Andrew Ladd has been out since the end of March with a torn ACL. The original timeline for recovery was four to six months. Meaning he’d be out till about the end of October at the latest. With the recent word from the Isles GM, that return date still seems likely.

Having Andrew Ladd on IR removes at least one obstacle to placing younger, more talented players on the Islanders third line.

Veterans Galore

Michael Dal Colle and Josh Ho-Sang should be making the roster this season. I’m not saying they are entitled to a roster spot, but after being drafted in the first round of the 2014 NHL draft, they should be in the NHL within five years.

Standing in the way of a regular NHL spot is a number of veteran players like Andrew Ladd, Leo Komarov, and Tom Kuhnhackl. All are likely candidates for a third line position with the Islanders this season. Not to mention Tanner Fritz.

All of them have NHL deals, deals that Lou Lamoriello typically honors with roster spots.

With Ladd out of the mix for the time being that leaves Komarov, Kuhnhackl, and Fritz in the way. It’s hard to see Lou scratch let alone put Leo Komarov on waivers. Lou signed the veteran to a four-year $12 million deal just last season. Lou likes Komarov’s battle, his presence in the dressing room, and his professionalism. He’s going to see NHL time.

But it’s absolutely possible for Kuhnhackl and Fritz to sit on the scratchpad or be waived to the AHL for the start of the season. Leaving the way for both Dal Colle and Ho-Sang to make the 23-man active roster and alternate spots on the 20-man game-day roster.

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With Ladd on IR both Dal Colle and Ho-Sang are likely going to end up on the New York Islanders roster to start the season. What happens when Andrew Ladd is 100 percent is going to be interesting.