While the New York Islanders have been banged up this season with several key players missing considerable time, they’re getting a bit of positive news on injured defenseman Noah Dobson. Unavailable to the Islanders since getting hurt on January 20 against the Columbus Blue Jackets and having missed the last nine straight games,

Noah Dobson joined the New York Islanders practice on Saturday, skating in an official capacity with the team for the first time since suffering a lower-body injury on Jan. 20, which sidelined him for nine games before the break.

Sometimes with the Islanders, the team keeps such a tight lid on information that it’s easy for a rumor from a fan account to become accepted as fact on social media.

The New York Islanders held practice on Saturday morning inside Northwell Health Ice Center in front of fans. The practice was high energy and packed with zip and included a few notable pieces of news.

Noah Dobson (lower body) hit the ice before the Islanders practice on Wednesday, helping warm up Ilya Sorokin and Jakub Skarek with some of his teammates. While not an official return to practice, it marked Dobson's first skate with non-injured teammates since suffering his lower-body injury on Jan. 20 against Columbus.

Noah Dobson returned to the ice before the New York Islanders’  practice Tuesday morning. Dobson skated in a full-contact jersey but did not partake in any drills. Dobson suffered a lower-body injury in a 3-1 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets on January 20.