A few weeks into this season, the Islanders performance has been by and large not too bad. The biggest concern though is by far the growing list of injured players.
Starting with Mathew Barzal, who has still not gotten into a game this season dude to inflammation from a knee injury he suffered 2 seasons ago. Islanders management initially downplayed the severity of this injury but it is clearly more severe then they let on.
Then in the Rangers game Alexander Romanov suffered a horrible leg injury ending his season. After missing most of last season after the hit from behind by Mikko Rantanen this was going to be a key year for Romanov in the 2nd of his 8 year deal. With Romanov going to a full NTC this summer, it should be interesting the ramifications this has and how the Islanders proceed.
Then this passed weekend, both Matias Maccelli & Cal Ritchie left the game early with lower body injuries. It was announced yesterday that Maccelli would be out 2-4 weeks & Ritchie 4-6 weeks. Already missing Barzal, losing these two is a tough loss for an already pretty offensively starved team. With the open spot on the roster the Islanders called up Mitchell Chaffee from Hamilton who will skate on the 4th line tonight alongside Kyle Maclean & Casey Cizikas.
Weather or not the Islanders will be able to withstand so many key players on the shelf is anyones guess but if they can't the 2026/2027 season could end before it ever really got started.
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