Islanders On The Lookout For Left-Aspect Defenseman, Three Commerce Potentialities

NEW YORK, NY — Everybody was holding their breath when New York Islanders defenseman Mike Reilly hit the ice and did not transfer on Friday night time in Buffalo.

As soon as Bo Horvat began signaling to the bench, adamantly hurrying over anybody who may assist, it was clear Reilly was in bother.

You would see the priority from his teammates.

After he lastly sat up and bought off the ice with the assistance of Anders Lee and the coach, we knew he wasn’t coming again.

“It was scary,” Kyle MacLean stated. “Clearly, when someone is out on the ice, and it’s a head harm, it’s scary, particularly seeing the stretcher come out. So it was good to see that he is alright. He sort of bought off the ice on his personal accord there. He skated off. So, actually scary.”

It appeared clear, from the replay, that Reilly had been knocked unconscious, doubtless that means a concussion.

However we realized earlier than leaving KeyBank Heart that Reilly would be capable of journey dwelling with the crew.

“He was within the locker room afterward, which was good, MacLean stated. He was like, ‘Yeah, I am alright’. Nonetheless a scary scenario with the top harm, however yeah, he was within the locker room after.

That was stunning to listen to however a certain constructive that, exterior of being knocked out, which isn’t a superb factor, he averted getting severely injured.

The best way he landed, Reilly is extraordinarily lucky that he did not undergo a neck or a again harm.

There isn’t any timetable for a way lengthy Reilly might be out. As of now, he’s day-to-day, per Islanders normal supervisor Lou Lamoriello.

With Adam Pelech out 4-6 weeks, too, the Islanders require a left-handed defenseman and are looking out.

Related: Islanders Place Barzal On Long-Term Injured Reserve, Pelech On Injured Reserve, Recall Hutton & Bolduc

Lamoriello stated you might be at all times trying to enhance, particularly now with all of the accidents.

“I feel you are at all times doing that. However clearly, when you’ve a few gamers that go down the way in which they did, you actually are listening to no matter may be and can’t be completed,” Lamoriello stated.

Coincidentally sufficient, Reilly was a waiver-wire pick-up final season in late November after Pelech and Sebastian Aho had been damage in a recreation in opposition to the Ottawa Senators.

So, what are the Islanders’ choices?

It’s not possible to know who we might be obtainable on waivers, however on the commerce market, a number of names come to thoughts.

The Islanders have $9.15 million in obtainable cap house after Mathew Barzal’s $9.15 million joined Anthony Duclair’s $3.5 million on long-term injured reserve.

Detroit Crimson Wings defenseman Erik Gustafsson, who performed for the New York Rangers final season and somebody who the Islanders dropped at coaching camp on knowledgeable tryout in 2021, is enjoying his offside and has been wholesome scratched 4 instances in 11 video games.

He carries a cap hit of $2 million and has two assists this season.

May Erik Brannstrom from Vancouver be an choice?

The 25-year-old suffered the same destiny to Reilly in opposition to the Islanders after a Cal Clutterbuck hit—he needed to be stretchered off—and is a defenseman that the Islanders doubtless had their radar on when he was with the Ottawa Senators.

This summer season, Brannstrom signed a one-year take care of the Canucks, value $900,000. He’s presently enjoying his off-side on their backside pairing.

He does kill penalties, too, which is large.

Brendan Smith in Dallas is on a one-year deal value $1 million and has solely performed in 5 of their 11 video games this season.

He is a bodily presence and may play on the penalty kill.

Each crew is aware of that the Islanders are in want of a left-side defenseman, with Grant Hutton doubtless enjoying his off-side in opposition to the Rangers on Sunday.

So, which means the Islanders don’t have leverage.

Nonetheless, all three gamers listed aren’t top-flight gamers, simply depth choices, and two of the three will not be even enjoying each recreation.

Mid to late-round draft picks ought to do the trick.