Romanov Ready For Return, Stick Taps To Pulock
Mike Reilly is undergoing heart surgery today.
Before we dive into the latest Islanders news and my column on Alexander Romanov’s return and Ryan Pulock stepping up for the team, I want to send well wishes to Mike Reilly.
The Islanders’ defenseman, who was knocked unconscious on Nov. 1 against the Buffalo Sabres, is having heart surgery to fix a condition that was discovered after undergoing tests for a concussion.
Had he not been knocked out, who knows if he would have ever found out that there was an issue with his heart. The good news is that his quality of life will be 100 percent back to the way it was once he’s healed, and he will be allowed to continue playing once he’s ready.
Reilly is a great hockey player, but I can tell you that he’s also great in the room and great to talk with.
Wishing him a speedy recovery.
ISLANDERS NEWS
Bo Horvat's Role In The Bounce-Back Of Islanders Captain Anders Lee - THN
Romanov Back As Regular At Islanders Practice In Calgary, Skating With Dobson - THN
Bridgeport Brings Back Former Captain On PTO; Down Three Defensemen Elevated To Islanders Big Club, Plus Injuries - THN
Islanders Reilly To Have Heart Surgery; Lamoriello Provides More Injury Updates
On Monday in Calgary, New York Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello provided reporters with updates regarding injured players:
Mike Reilly (Upper Body): Cleared From Concussion, Undergoing Heart Surgery For Uncovered Condition
The 31-year-old was knocked out cold against the Buffalo Sabres on Nov. 1 after a hit from forward Jordan Greenway. He was initially day-to-day but now is out indefinitely. It turns out that, after going for tests, Reilly has a heart condition.
"[His quality of life will be] 100%, and he will be able to play once this procedure is done," Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello said. "It takes quite a bit of time. It could be several months before he's back because of the type of procedure." (H/t New York Islanders)
The rest of the injury report is HERE.
St. Louis Blues Place Speedster Kapanen On Waivers; Could He Bolster Islanders Struggling Fourth Line?
On Monday, the St. Louis Blues placed forward Kasperi Kapanen on waivers.
The 28-year-old speedster only had one goal in 10 games this season while averaging 11:19 minutes per game.
Kapanen, who played for Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello in Toronto, signed a one-year, $1 million deal this past summer in St. Louis after having 14 goals and 22 assists through 96 games with the Blues since being acquired from the Pittsburgh Penguins off waivers during the 2022-23 season.
With the Islanders still missing two-thirds of their top line, that's provided more opportunities for depth players.
Read the rest at The Hockey News.
Romanov Ready For Return, Stick Taps To Pulock
Some may call today “Tuesday.” Others may call it Romanov Return Day.
The 24-year-old Alexander Romanov, who has missed the last seven games and 10 of the last 11, took part in line rushes for the first time at Monday’s practice, per Andrew Gross and Ethan Sears, skating alongside Noah Dobson.
Head coach Patrick Roy told reporters in Calgary that Romanov is a game-time decision.
No 28’s chat with the media suggests there’s a high chance he plays.
“It’s awesome,” Romanov told reporters when Ethan asked how exciting it was to potentially be back. “To be part of the team again and not watching the games on a TV or in the stand, to just be with the team, that’s great … It was tough practices when you are alone with the coach, just me and him. It’s an unbelievable feeling right now just to be a part of the team again. I don’t know. What can I say? (laugh). It’s just exciting to play again.”
Romanov tried to come back, feeling ready to go against the Buffalo Sabres on Nov. 1, but after taking a hard hit by Jordan Greenway in the third period, leaving the game and then battled to return with two other defensemen going out (Adam Pelech, Mike Reilly), it was clear that maybe he needed more time.
Gross asked Romanov if this was different than when he came back to Buffalo, to which Romanov replied, “Yeah, it’s different. Everything should be good now.”
When Romanov was out of the lineup this season, the Islanders went 3-5-2, but they have gone 3-2-2 since the Buffalo game.
With him back alongside Dobson, Ryan Pulock can go back to his natural right side, as he’s been playing his off-side the last seven games to fill the Romanov hole.
He’ll play alongside 20-year-old Isaiah George, who has been a sensational call-up despite going through some growing pains over the last few games.
Not every game for Pulock was smooth, but he stepped up when the Islanders needed him to, and he deserves some stick taps for the defense's success.
He’s played the second most minutes at 5-on-5 over that span, 145:49, and has been on the ice for eight goals for and six goals against.
The Islanders have been outshot 77-68 when he’s been on the ice, and while that may not seem pretty, Pulock has been battling out there.
We spoke with Pulock in Seattle about playing his off-side:
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