Injuries Already???? Isles Start Season Without Two Top Players

Preseason isn't over, but the Islanders face a couple of glaring holes in their lineup already as we come closer to October 9.

First down was blueliner and alternate captain Mark Streit, who was injured during the team's Orange and Blue Scrimmage on Sept. 26. He received a slight cross-check from teammate Matt Moulson and fell awkwardly hurting his left shoulder. Further evaluation revealed Streit had torn his rotator cuff and labrum, requiring surgery and putting him out of commission for, at the very least, six months. That's practically the entire season and a big blow to the Isles, who lose a PP specialist and defensive leader. Moulson posted on his Twitter account (@MMoulson) that he felt really bad about what had happened, but Streit assured him it wasn't his fault. And it's not- you never want to hurt a guy you play with (unless you really don't like him... just kidding), especially when he's a key to your team's success.

Also out of commission is Kyle Okposo, who also sustained a serious shoulder injury during a scrimmage and is out, according to the Isles, "indefinitely." The minimum length of time I've heard so far is three months, but of course that could end up being longer, which is a huge setback not only for Kyle personally, but for his linemates and the rest of the offense. For the past two seasons, Okposo's been hovering around the 20-goal mark without quite reaching it, and many believed that this would be the season he would get there, provided he stay healthy. With this injury, however, he may not be able to, and the Islanders lose a valuable source of point production.

Ironically, goaltender Rick DiPietro is said to be healthy after missing the majority of two seasons with knee problems. Hopefully this is still true at the start of the season, let alone the midpoint or further. In the interim, the Isles have signed D Mike Mottau to replace Streit in the lineup... what they do to fill Okposo's place remains to be seen.