NHL

MacDonald back at Islanders practice

One of the clouds hanging over the Islanders training camp broke just a little yesterday, as defenseman Andy MacDonald skated in a full practice for the first time all year.

The 25-year-old became a stalwart on the Islanders blueline last season, logging upwards of 25 minutes a game before he injured his hip in late March and required surgery. His rehab program projected a return date after a full six months, which would be the end of September.

“It’s just part of the progression,” MacDonald said after the morning practice. “[Yesterday] was a good day to jump in, and it’s just kind of working up from here.”

MacDonald said he wasn’t cleared for “full-fledged” contact, but that he wasn’t too far off. He will not make the trip to Boston to play the Bruins tonight, nor will he play against the Devils at the Coliseum tomorrow. As for the rest of his preseason schedule — which has three more games, including a trip to Calgary — it still is up in the air.

“It feels really good and feels like [physically] I’m there,” he said about his hip. “But there’s been a game plan from the beginning, and the next few days we’ll hop in a little more every day and get full clearance.”

It’s clear that the Islanders are going to need MacDonald back at full strength by the season opener on Oct. 8 at home against Florida in order to solidify their backline. The team invited 38-year-old veteran Steve Staios to camp, and his presence says what it needs to about franchise’s confidence in their defensive depth.

“I think I should reiterate that I don’t think it’s just one spot [open on defense],” coach Jack Capuano said. “Young kids have just as good a chance as some of the other guys.”

Last season — when the team lost veteran defensemen Mark Streit, Mike Mottau, Mark Eaton and Milan Jurcina all for significant periods of time — most of the heavy lifting was done by MacDonald and his then-20-year-old running mate, Travis Hamonic.

As MacDonald went from a fringe player to one of the most important, he turned a lot of heads and penciled himself in for a major role this season.

“Obviously he’s a big part of our ‘D’ core, and we’re happy to have him back,” said Streit, the newly named captain. “It’s just good to see him out there. He had a great season last year. He’s one of these young guys that’s only going to keep improving.”

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Traveling to Boston for tonight’s game mostly will be a young group, who skated yesterday afternoon while the more veteran group skated early. But in Capuano’s eyes, one is not superior to the other.

“I think there are guys in [the young] group that have played better than guys in the other group, to be honest,” he said.

Highlighting the group in Boston will be Josh Bailey, Blake Comeau, and veteran tryout Jay Pandolfo. Rick DiPietro and rookie Andres Nilsson should split time in nets.

bcyrgalis@nypost.com