*9:26 am: The Islanders have just sent out notification that Kirill Kabanov has been returned to juniors. So even with five preseason games coming in just a few days, he wasn't kept around. Tough.love.

**Note: Just read Newsday's Katie Strang's description of the dislocation of Mark Streit's shoulder and how much pain he was in. It was dislocated for 20 minutes and he had to be given tranquilizers in order for trainers to pop it back into place.

POP IT BACK INTO PLACE!!!!

Think of that pain! Now, we can see a clearer picture of a torn labrum. This.is.bad.

When Mark Streit left the Coliseum on Saturday afternoon with his arm in a sling, it was bad enough. It was reported that he would be evaluated and his condition would be announced either Sunday or Monday the latest.

My phone buzzed wildly in my pocket while I was eating supper with the New Jersey contingent of my husband’s family. I checked my phone to see the Tweet from Newsday’s Katie Strang announcing Mark Streit’s condition. I screamed at the table. In front of my husband’s 92-year-old grandmother, his Aunt and Uncle, his parents and mine, I looked down at my phone and yelled “WTF” -- the long version.

From the grill my husband yelled over to me, “Streit’s done, isn’t he?” I don’t know how he knew. But then again, my friends knew I was entertaining today and I only have Isles Twitter updates coming to my phone. “Six months! It says six months!!” He shook his head and said “It figures.”

The Islanders can’t catch a break. The official word used in the release is “indefinitely” which leaves the door open for Mark Streit to come back sooner rather than later or (Hockey Gods forbid) not at all. Word is his left shoulder injury will require surgery. Newsday reports that tests show it’s a torn labrum and rotator cuff and Streit will see the same surgeon who worked on Doug Weight’s shoulder. (Remind me again how long HE was out for?)

Now for the bad news; Kyle Okposo, who has been sidelined with a shoulder injury for days and did not play in the scrimmage, will need to see a specialist for his shoulder as well. How long will Kyle be out now? It’s obvious that this is no longer just soreness from taking things to quickly in training camp. This may end up being serious. Really serious.

Then what?

The press release announced that five players (make that VETERAN players) have been added to the training camp roster today. Dean McAmmond (remember that length-of-the-ice goal?), Anders Eriksson, (14-year veteran who played 8 games for the Rangers last season), Krys Kolanos (drafted in 2000 by Phoenix), AHL, ECHL Goalie Joel Martin and 37-year-old goalie Manny Legace who played 30 games with the Hurricanes last season.

There are four split squad preseason games coming up and there has to be eight veteran players on a team for a preseason game. Mike Dunham is no longer eligible to play. So… there.

While the loss of Mark Streit for any length of time is damaging to the Islanders, it may be the opportunity for one of the young hopefuls to make the jump to Uniondale. The Islandes wanted to develop their young players. They may have no choice. But that is going to leave the desire to improve their league standings this year in the dust.

We'll have to see how this all plays out -- before October 9th.

Join the Discussion: » Comments » Post New Comment

» Boychuk for Seven

» Good Ain't Good Enough NYR 2 - NYI 1

» The Return of Isles' Capt. America

» The JT Show in TO in OT

» Kennedy's Debut