The Islanders are going to be without Anthony Duclair for a while.
General manager Lou Lamoriello told reporters before the team hit the ice for Monday’s practice that the winger’s injury would be “more long-term than short-term at this point,” though it would not be season-ending.
An exact timeframe isn’t yet known, with the Islanders waiting on MRI exam and x-ray results.
Duclair appeared to suffer a right leg injury during Saturday’s win over Montreal, going down hard in the third period and not getting up.
He was helped off with no weight on his right leg.
The summer’s marquee signing for the Islanders, Duclair already had two goals and an assist in the season’s first five games, and looked to be building chemistry with Mat Barzal and Bo Horvat on the top line.
That top unit, which featured three high-end skill players with Duclair added, was one of the biggest reasons to believe the Islanders could improve this season from being a fringe playoff team to a legit contender.
The lineup ramifications aren’t 100 percent clear just yet, as the Islanders were waiting for Julien Gauthier to clear waivers before they could call someone up.
But Simon Holmstrom got the first crack at Duclair’s spot on the top line during Monday’s practice, with Casey CIzikas moving up from the fourth line to Holmstrom’s spot on the third.
Pierre Engvall, who surprisingly did not make the team out of camp, and Hudson Fasching are the likely call-up candidates.
If it is Engvall, the Islanders would need to officially place Duclair on long-term injured reserve — which would mean a minimum of 24 days and 10 games before he returns — or find some other way to clear space in order to fit Engvall’s cap hit.
Matt Martin, who is still practicing with the Islanders on a tryout contract, is not being considered as a full-time signing, Lamoriello told reporters.
