The New York Islanders introduced damage updates on Monday, Nov. 18 with the workforce hoping just a few skaters can return to the lineup. They’ve been reeling from accidents all season and will use some excellent news and a few key gamers again. The outcomes are a blended bag. Right here’s what you might want to know.

• Mike Reilly is out indefinitely. He recovered from a concussion however is having coronary heart surgical procedure which requires him to steer clear of the ice for the foreseeable future.
• Alexander Romanov, who’s recovering from an upper-body damage, is day-to-day and skating with the workforce. He practiced alongside Noah Dobson on Monday, signal because the Islanders put together to play the Calgary Flames on Nov. 19.
• Anthony Duclair is returning slowly to the workforce after struggling a lower-body damage earlier within the season. He’ll possible begin skating with the workforce this week.
• Mathew Barzal and Adam Pelech are additional behind as they’ve but to be cleared to start out skating. Each gamers are battling upper-body accidents and had been initially listed as out for 4 to 6 weeks.

Associated: Islanders’ Mike Reilly to Bear Coronary heart Process; Out Indefinitely

The latest information isn’t perfect, particularly because the Islanders should piece collectively their protection and general roster for just a few video games. Nevertheless, it’s not all doom and gloom. With the Islanders in the midst of the Metropolitan Division, the subsequent steps from normal supervisor (GM) Lou Lamoriello shall be important.

What Does This Imply for the Islanders?

They should add reinforcements to the defensive unit. Sure, Isaiah George has been a pleasing shock since he was referred to as up and Romanov shall be again quickly. Nevertheless, the latest accidents are an indication that the Islanders gained’t have a wholesome unit for the season and they should add depth skaters to keep away from a drop-off. Lamoriello’s reply has been the American Hockey League (AHL) call-ups however Grant Hutton, Dennis Cholowski, and Travis Mitchell gained’t lower it. Ultimately, he should make a transfer and add a defenseman.

The Islanders additionally should lean on their high line to nonetheless carry the offense. They gained’t have Duclair or Barzal again for just a few video games and it’s why Bo Horvat, Anders Lee, and Jean-Gabriel Pageau should step up and proceed to play effectively to maintain the offense from falling aside.

On the identical time, Duclair will return quickly sufficient to supply a lift to the offense. If the Islanders can tread water for his or her subsequent three video games, which shall be towards the Flames, Detroit Purple Wings, and at residence towards the St. Louis Blues, they are going to be fantastic transferring ahead.

The excellent news is that when Duclair and Barzal return, they gained’t want to hold the offense. The accidents pressured head coach Patrick Roy to adapt and create a brand new high line led by Horvat with Lee and Pageau on the wings. Barzal will possible play on the identical line as Duclair, one thing they did early on within the season, however they may possible achieve this because the second line or higher but, with the Islanders icing a top-nine as an alternative of a top-six.

The ahead unit gained’t be an issue for the Islanders. The protection, nonetheless, could possibly be their weak hyperlink and value them, even with goaltender Ilya Sorokin taking part in at a excessive degree.

The place the Islanders Can Improve

If Lamoriello desires to make a transfer (an enormous if contemplating his historical past), he can look to amass a depth defenseman to spherical out the protection. Ryan Suter and Alec Martinez are two veteran stay-at-home defensemen on groups which can be going nowhere and contemplating they’re free brokers after the season, they are going to be moved for an inexpensive value. The issue with each skaters is that they’re of their late 30s and except for being effectively previous their primes, they might make an growing older roster look older.

A greater goal is Ivan Provorov who’s taking part in nice protection on a last-place Columbus Blue Jackets workforce. He could be a big improve to the blue line however the catch is that the Blue Jackets could have the next asking value contemplating he’s one among their finest commerce property.

The Islanders will look to enhance the protection from inside and the wager is that they are going to be wholesome by the top of the season. That’s a danger not value taking if Lamoriello desires this workforce to contend. It’s why he might want to actively add to the roster earlier than the accidents derail their season.