Islanders Struck By Injury Bug Again, Palmieri to Miss Rest of the Season With Torn ACL

For the third time over the last few weeks, the Islanders got some more unfortunate injury news today.  Forward, Kyle Palmieri will miss the rest of the season with a torn ACL suffered in the game yesterday versus the Flyers.  Even with what must've been a horribly painful injury, Palmieri had the presence of mind to steal the puck on his way off the ice yesterday and set up the Islanders first goal of the afternoon.  Palmieri was in the first year of a 2 year $9,500,000 he signed this past summer.

After dealing with some injuries when he first arrived with the Islanders, Palmieri had become the Islanders iron man in recent seasons playing over 200 straight games before yesterdays injury.  Palmieri was off to a solid start this season with 18 points in 25 games, so his production will be sorely missed in the lineup.  

This injury comes after the Islanders announced that Alex Romanov will miss the rest of the regular season after the dirty hit he took by Mikko Rantanen when the Islanders played Dallas during the last road trip.  Then, last week, the Islanders announced JG Pageau is week to week with an upper body injury.  Though they seem to be optimistic that he will be back playing again by Christmas.

After being pretty healthy since the start of the season, this will be a tough stretch for the Islanders and we will see some of what they are made of.

Romanov Injured After Dirty Hit By Rantanen

On Tuesday, the Islanders defeated the Stars by a score of 3-2.  The main story that will no doubt come out of this game though will be the injury to Alexander Romanov and the dirty hit by Mikko Rantanen that caused the injury. 

Coming to play the puck behind the net, Romanov had his back to the rest of the ice when he was violently pushed in the back by Rantanen sending him violently into the boards what looked like face first.  There have been some, including Dallas coach Glen Gulutzan that have tried to make the argument that Rantanen making contact with Mayfield threw him off balance thus excusing him for his conduct.

I am sorry but that is just a brainless excuse by a coach trying to excuse is star players horrible actions.  Even if Gulutzan is right and that is what happened, how does fully extending your arms through the back of the guy in front of you help with that?

Patrick Roy was visibly pissed off on the bench following the hit.  He exchanged some words with Rantanen as he went down the tunnel as well as Stars assistant coach Alain Nasreddine after Rantanen went to the locker room.  This was by far the angriest and most animated we have seen Roy since he took over as coach for the Islanders.

If Rantanen doesn't get at least a few games for this hit I will be very surprised!

As of post game, the only update on Romanov was that he didn't have to go to the hospital which is a very good sign!  Sending thoughts and well wishes to him as he begins his healing process from the injuries sustained on the play.

The Emergence of Emil Heineman

Prior to this season, Emil Heineman had played in 66 games in his NHL career, all with the Montreal Canadiens.  He managed to put up 18 points over the course of those 66 games.

Over the summer, the Islanders traded Noah Dobson to Montreal on draft day.  The prime pieces of the deal were two first round picks which the Islanders used that night on some terrific prospects.  The third piece that some people maybe didn't pay attention to was forward Emil Heineman.

To say Heineman has been a great surprise early this season would be an understatement.  Over just 20 games, Heineman already has 14 points, including 9 goals which is one behind his career high.  He also has points in 4 straight games, including 3 goals.  On top of that, Heineman has developed great chemistry almost from the start of camp with Bo Horvat.

It definitely caught my attention in camp when Patrick Roy said in camp that Heineman was going to get a top 6 role to begin the season.  After the trade I had figured Heineman to be a bottom 6 player, boy was I wrong.  He does have some physical elements and tenacity that you may more often find in a bottom 6 player but hes been able to mesh that well with his other skills and its been a treat to watch him play thus far this season.