Metropolitan Notes: Ladd, Walker, Hurricanes

Islanders winger Andrew Ladd is hopeful to be ready for training camp as he works his way back from ACL surgery on his left knee, notes Newsday’s Andrew Gross.  He underwent the procedure in late March with the recovery time typically hovering around the six-month mark.  However, given that Ladd also missed more than half of 2018-19 with a right knee issue, it wouldn’t be shocking if they err on the side of caution and ease him back in a little slower.  The 33-year-old has not lived up to the seven-year, $38.5MM deal that he signed back in 2016 and because of the injury, New York will not have the option to buy him out next month.

More from the Metropolitan:

• Despite not seeing much NHL action this season, Capitals winger Nathan Walker is open to re-signing with the team this offseason, reports NBC Sports Washington’s J.J. Regan. He got into just three games with Washington in 2018-19 but posted a career high in points per game with AHL Hershey.  The Caps are likely going to be looking for several players at or near the league minimum salary for next season to round out their roster, something that Walker is certainly aware of.  However, as he’s 25 with more than three years of pro experience and just 13 NHL games under his belt, he is eligible for Group VI free agency this summer.
• Jake Bean’s back and forth travels continue. The Hurricanes announced that they’ve once again recalled the blueliner on an emergency basis along with winger Patrick Brown.  This is the fifth time that Bean has been recalled since the start of the playoffs but he has yet to get into a game.  Meanwhile, Brown has been up with Carolina for most of the postseason and has suited up eight times thus far, his first NHL action since the 2016-17 campaign.