The Islanders decided to see if Robin Salo was ready.
The highly-touted defense prospect was on the ice Thursday as the Islanders conducted their first practice at UBS Arena after being recalled from AHL Bridgeport. Top-pair defenseman Ryan Pulock (lower body) was placed on injured reserve and is expected to miss four to six weeks.
The Islanders open their new, $1.1 billion home on Saturday night against the Flames.
Salo, a 23-year-old Finn selected in the second round in 2017, is playing his first season in North America after two seasons with Orebro HK in the Swedish Hockey League and parts of the previous six seasons in Finland’s Liiga.