November 4, 2024 | 10:10am ET
TheFourthPeriod.com

ISLANDERS EXPLORING DEFENSIVE OPTIONS

Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello

The New York Islanders have been plagued by the injury bug recently, primarily leaving major holes on the team’s blueline.

Adam Pelech is out four-to-six weeks after taking a stick to the face over the weekend, while Mike Reilly and Alex Romanov are out of action and considered day-to-day.

The Isles also lost star forward Mathew Barzal to an upper body injury and he is expected to miss four-to-six weeks, as well.

During Sunday’s 5-2 loss to the New York Rangers, the Islanders shifted to using five of their six defencemen as the game progressed, with Samuel Bolduc limited to less than six minutes of ice time in the game.

Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello will need to be creative in how he maneuvers the salary cap, but the Isles are believed to be exploring the trade market for help on the backend.

It is unclear whom the Islanders are targeting, but any significant addition to the roster would have to result in dollars leaving.