When the five injured players return for the Islanders it will be like they made a trade for those players and did not give anything up, the injured players have been out of the lineup for so long. The returning injured players will play both at home in Elmont, New York, and on the road in various National Hockey League cities.
The Islanders have played well despite their injuries, and it is reasonable to wonder if the returning players will disrupt the newfound chemistry of the team. That outcome is unlikely as so much talent is on injured reserve their, return cannot help but improve and continue their excellent play. No one knows for sure when the injured players will return, but this article will go through each player in turn and say when that player is scheduled to come off injured reserve.
Injured Forward Anthony DuClar
Anthony DuClair was one of the Islanders two big acquisitions in the offseason, with Russian Maxim Tsyplakov. DuCalair signed a four-year $13 million contract with the Islanders in the offseason. The signing was lauded as one of the best offseason signings in the National Hockey League. So, this injury was particularly bad news for the Islanders. DuClar’s scoring punch is much needed by the anemic Islanders, who have trouble scoring more than three goals.
Duclair, who suffered his lower-body injury, rumored to be an injured groin, in their 4-3 shootout win against the Montreal Canadiens on Oct. 19, was placed on long-term injured reserve (LTIR) almost immediately and given a 4-6 week timeline. A player on long-term injured reserve must miss ten games and 24 days. That would mean DuClair is eligible to be re-activated on November 23 against the St. Louis Blues. Returning then would be quick for his injury and he could be out longer.
Injured Forward Mat Barzal
When Islander star Mat Barzal got injured it was big, important news. Last season he scored 85 points. It was the first time since his first full season that he averaged a point per game. Fans thought Barzal had turned a corner, so this injury was also bad news. Barzal will not score that many points this season, but he may be a point-per-game player.
Mathew Barzal, who suffered a mysterious upper-body injury after colliding with Yegor Chinakhov in their 2-0 shutout loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Oct. 30, was given a 4-6 week timeline. Hockey teams are infamous for giving scant information on injuries to their players, and that has been the case with Barzal. He was also placed on long-term injured reserve retroactive to that October 30 game against Columbus. The recovery timeline has him Barzal eligible to return maybe against the Chicago Blackhawks on December 12.
Injured Defenseman Adam Pelech
The Islanders also have three of their top six defensemen out and that starts with top-pairing defenseman Adam Pelech. He was placed on injured reserve on November 1 and he was eligible to return to the Islanders lineup on November 8, but he did not. From his injury, one can tell that injuries can last longer than the scheduled outage period.
Adam Pelech‘s ugly jaw injury has a timeline of about 4-6 weeks. This means the earliest Adam Pelech is expected to be back would be on November 29 against the Washington Capitals with maybe the latest return could be on December 15 against the Chicago Blackhawks. One thing is for certain, The Islanders are missing Pelech’s skill, but they have built needed depth on the blue line with all the defensive injuries.
Injured Defenseman Mike Reilly
Mike Reilly was an excellent defenseman for the Islanders last season when the Islanders claimed him off the scrap heap. Reilly quickly became an important defenseman for the Islanders. He has not been as good this season. He was placed on injured reserve with an upper-body injury, probably a concussion, on November 1 in Buffalo. Concussions are tricky and Reilly may never be the same. It is a good thing Isiah George has emerged on the Blue Line for the Islanders.
Injured Defenseman Alexander Romanov
Defenseman Alexander Romanov, in many ways, had the least serious of all the injuries that the Islanders have suffered. Romanov was hurt on a check in that same game in Buffalo, a costly one for the Islanders. Romanov is practicing with the team now, so he should be the first of the five players to return to the lineup. The fact he is practicing and has yet to return does give fans some pause.
Conclusion
Given the Islanders have played well while enduring these five injuries the depth they have built will be useful in the long term, particularly on defense. The emergence of George provided needed depth on the Islanders’ blue line. Also, the injuries have forced the dynamic Russian duo in goal to play well. That said, it would be reasonable for fans of the Islanders to wonder if the return of the injured players will affect the chemistry of the team. Maybe, but it is unlikely, all of the injured players will return to the Islander’s lineup at the same time. There is no question the Islanders have suffered greatly.
