Arthur Staple @StapeAthletic
1m
Lamoriello: Pelech injury occurred in pregame warmups, off ice, "a freak accident." Needs surgery. Recovery timeline is four months.
- eichiefs9

(frank)

Hickey would be the best option but obviously he's been out since November so that doesn't seem to be happening any time soon, which is a shame for everyone. I liked Aho in his 20-something games here two years ago and he's only gotten better since then. I'm excited to see him get a look.

But I think it's going to have to be one of those three or, more likely, some combination of all of them, because the trade market for defensemen looks like hot garbage which means prices will be higher than they should be.
- eichiefs9

Have to agree.
On vet d man could be someone with a year left.

How badly?
- niteislander

I believe last year and this year he suffered multiple concussions.

Have to agree.
On vet d man could be someone with a year left.
- nyisles7

Tough situation Pelech has been playing well for us and we have an obvious need for offense. Dobson will get a long hard look now and hopefully Aho can be the extra guy. All the depth we’ve been speaking of has to come into play now. If we’re playing to win this season we have to continue to focus on getting some offense and hope these kids step up. No need to throw in the towel due to Pelech being out.

Have to agree.
On vet d man could be someone with a year left.
- nyisles7

Certainly possible, but I have a hard time seeing them add more salary for next year, when they won't need the player anyway, when they have some key signings to make. I guess they could always flip this hypothetical player, but who knows.

Tough situation Pelech has been playing well for us and we have an obvious need for offense. Dobson will get a long hard look now and hopefully Aho can be the extra guy. All the depth we’ve been speaking of has to come into play now. If we’re playing to win this season we have to continue to focus on getting some offense and hope these kids step up. No need to throw in the towel due to Pelech being out.
- Cptmjl

Aho has been one of the better offensive defensemen in the AHL. Losing Pelech's defensive acumen hurts big time, but it's possible Aho can spark a little more offense and mobility from the blueline.

Might not be a bad thing to showcase Aho at the big-league level if they don't think he figures into their plans long-term.

Arthur Staple @StapeAthletic
1m
Lamoriello: Pelech injury occurred in pregame warmups, off ice, "a freak accident." Needs surgery. Recovery timeline is four months.
- eichiefs9

Sounds like a ruptured Achilles tendon which is awful.

Have to agree.
On vet d man could be someone with a year left.
- nyisles7

Go for 3c and hope that aho can fill on on third pairing. They aren't going anywhere even if they land a vet d man if they can score

Tough situation Pelech has been playing well for us and we have an obvious need for offense. Dobson will get a long hard look now and hopefully Aho can be the extra guy. All the depth we’ve been speaking of has to come into play now. If we’re playing to win this season we have to continue to focus on getting some offense and hope these kids step up. No need to throw in the towel due to Pelech being out.
- Cptmjl

Yep! I think the Isles should go with Dobson and Aho for now. The focus still needs to be on offense and especially after only getting one on the Devils.

Sounds like a ruptured Achilles tendon which is awful.
- JimmyP

Sounds like it happened playing that stupid soccer game

Go for 3c and hope that aho can fill on on third pairing. They aren't going anywhere even if they land a vet d man if they can score
- Upstate_isles

I agree. Season will still come down to the offense.

Go for 3c and hope that aho can fill on on third pairing. They aren't going anywhere even if they land a vet d man if they can score
- Upstate_isles

For whatever it's worth, which probably isn't much, these are the names Staple mentioned right off the bat:

Sounds like it happened playing that stupid soccer game




- eichiefs9

This is just dumb.

This is just dumb.
- ses111

Every team has something like this for the guys to loosen up and have some fun. It's just a freak accident.

Go for 3c and hope that aho can fill on on third pairing. They aren't going anywhere even if they land a vet d man if they can score
- Upstate_isles

Cant win if the other team is scoring more than you. Chicken or the Egg.

I think there's some time before the TD so they will see if Aho and or Dobson can hack it and if not they need to determine if this is the year to go for it.
Losing Pelech is devastating. Changes everything moving forward imho.

Go for 3c and hope that aho can fill on on third pairing. They aren't going anywhere even if they land a vet d man if they can score
- Upstate_isles

100% agree with this. We’ve been saying we have so much defensive depth. Well let’s see how much we really have and focus on helping our top 9.

Every team has something like this for the guys to loosen up and have some fun. It's just a freak accident.
- JimmyP

Does not seem worth the risk of injury. They can find something else. Put a stop to this Lou. No beards and no silly games.

Cant win if the other team is scoring more than you. Chicken or the Egg.

I think there's some time before the TD so they will see if Aho and or Dobson can hack it and if not they need to determine if this is the year to go for it.
Losing Pelech is devastating. Changes everything moving forward imho.
- nyisles7

52 days

Certainly possible, but I have a hard time seeing them add more salary for next year, when they won't need the player anyway, when they have some key signings to make. I guess they could always flip this hypothetical player, but who knows.
- eichiefs9

Have to see what Lou and Trotz are willing to do but I am going to bet a d man is acquired. The game changes once the PO start.

52 days
- eichiefs9

We will know sooner that that in my honest opinion. Good thing this didn't happen right before or after the the TD

Have to see what Lou and Trotz are willing to do but I am going to bet a d man is acquired. The game changes once the PO start.
- nyisles7

Clearly no way of knowing, but exactly four months from today the Isles will have one game remaining on the regular season schedule. Entirely possible that Pelech is back for the playoffs if his surgery/rehab goes well. Big "if", obviously.

The next 1.5 months will be hugely important for both the team and Dobson/Aho/potentially Hickey, personally. If things aren't going well on the blueline then yeah, they'll absolutely have to go out and pick someone up.

My guess is Aho would have been up sooner if not for the stupid rule that Dobson has to be NHL or juniors. He was good last time and has to be dying to get his shot. Hopefully, he plays so well it becomes an issue for us in a good way.

Have to see what Lou and Trotz are willing to do but I am going to bet a d man is acquired. The game changes once the PO start.
- nyisles7

I know as Islander fans we don’t expect much trade wise just because of what we’re accustomed too with the new and past regime but if it’s purely a depth defenseman we would be interested in why not a top 9 forward and a 6/7 defenseman? That’s not exactly an earth shattering acquisition(s).

100% agree with this. We’ve been saying we have so much defensive depth. Well let’s see how much we really have and focus on helping our top 9.
- Cptmjl

Actually when Hickey was injured in the beginning of the year the D depth took a hit.
Dobson for me isn't the answer and I don't think Aho is either. I could be wrong, I hope I am.

I know as Islander fans we don’t expect much trade wise just because of what we’re accustomed too with the new and past regime but if it’s purely a depth defenseman we would be interested in why not a top 9 forward and a 6/7 defenseman? That’s not exactly an earth shattering acquisition(s).
- Cptmjl

I think we certainly need that 3C for sure but this team is built on solid D and D first mentality creating our offensive chances. I think they will try to acquire both if Dobson and Aho don't prove themselves ready and Quickly.

Tough break for the team, just never know when bad luck rears its ugly head