Ilya Sorokin rejoined the Islanders for practice on Thursday, the first time he’s participated fully since undergoing back surgery over the summer, in a positive sign for his eventual availability.
Sorokin has skated on his own throughout training camp and took shots from goalie coach Piero Greco on Wednesday, with the team declining to say whether that was his first time doing so.
The timing and nature of his procedure are unclear, making it an open question what to expect in regard to Sorokin’s status.
Originally, general manager Lou Lamoriello said Sorokin’s availability for the start of the season was not in question and he would miss only a couple days of camp.
But with just a week until opening night against Utah, it does not appear cut and dried that Sorokin will be ready by then.