Jack Capuano's first NHL Training Camp as head coach just got off the ground and already three promising rookies have been bitten by the injury bug.
As a fan I'm sitting here praying "Oh, NOT AGAIN!" I can't imagine what the organization is thinking.
Mark Katic dislocated his left shoulder during Tuesday's rookie game. It will be operated on Monday for a second time. Rhett Rakhshani left the Monday rookie game against Boston with a concussion. While the Islander rookies brought the intensity level to fever pitch the next night in retaliation for the loss of California native Rakhshani, Rhett will remain on the sidelines while camp continues.
After Tuesday's game,
fellow blogger Joe Bondi asked me repeatedly if I had heard anything about Mitchell Theoret. I asked about him in the locker room post game, but didn't have an answer. I asked the next day, but there was no answer. Two days later, it is revealed that Theoret also sustained a concussion.
The good news is that Theoret says he feels great and hopes to be on the ice tomorrow when camp resumes. (That's if the doctors will let him.)
Throw veteran NHLer Marty Reasoner on the pile as having to leave practice with a sore knee and I'm beginning to panic.
All reports from camp this weekend were that Jack's drills were brutal. He is looking to separate the men from the boys or the strong from the not quite as strong.
Matt Moulson Tweeted: Probably hardest training camp day in my 6 years of pro...no messing around this year.
Is it too much all at once? Are we going to see another rash of training camp injuries that will change the roster even before we hit opening night?
Please, Hockey Gods -- Not again! We can't take it.
Another veteran, Steve Staios has agreed to attend the Isles Training Camp on a tryout basis. Could Staios be the "veteran defenseman" that Garth was hoping to acquire for this season? We'll see.
Staios has played in 936 NHL games, scoring 56 goals and 156 assists. He has also accumulated 1,269 penalty minutes over the course of his 15-year NHL career. Staios should arrive tomorrow at camp.
Already arrived invitee is ex-NJ Devil Jay Pandolfo. Anther Mass native, he should be very comfortable with the Isles coaching staff. But will Pandolfo earn a roster spot for the season? That's something Snow and Capuano will have to decide... should he live through Jack's "suicide drills."
Who knew Capuano was such a slave driver?
New York Islanders Blogger • 
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