First-round pick Josh Bailey left the ice after about 10 minutes of the islanders’ practice this morning. Islanders officials said there will be no official injury update today, but there are strong indications Bailey most likely is out for the opener against the Devils Friday night at the Prudential Center.
Bailey was one of five forwards wearing orange jerseys and alternating with each other during practice this morning. It was starting to look like he would center for left wing Sean Bergenheim and right wing Kyle Okposo against the Devils. Winger Blake Comeau and newcomer Nate Thompson, who was acquired on waivers yesterday afternoon, also were wearing orange jerseys.
On Wednesday, coach Scott Gordon said Bailey’s undisclosed health issue was resolved, and he was ready to go. It’s believed he has a problem related to the groin, hip flexor or abdomen that caused him to miss all but two of the Islanders’ exhibitions. But Bailey didn’t sound as though he was 100 percent when questioned on Wednesday.
“It feels good,” Bailey said yesterday. “It gets better every day. It’s weird. It kind of comes and goes. But it’s nothing that’s holding me back in practices. I haven’t felt it. It’s been a positive the last couple days.”
Obviously, Bailey’s injury was a negative this morning. He was unavailable to the media, so, the opening-night lineup now becomes a guessing game. Three lines have worked together consistently this week:
Jon Sim-Doug Weight-Bill Guerin
Jeff Tambellini-Frans Nielsen-Trent Hunter
Mike Comrie-Richard Park-Andy Hilbert
That leaves Bergenheim and Okposo without a center. Obviously, Thompson is a center, but Comeau also can play the position and both worked their at times today. The question is whether Gordon wants to take the expedient approach and not mess up the other three lines by putting Comeau or Thompson with Okposo. Or would he want a proven playmaker with Okposo? In that event, he could put Comrie back at center between Bergenheim and Okposo and use either Comeau or Thompson at left wing with Park and Hilbert. Comeau normally plays left wing, and Thompson said this morning that he can play all three positions.
Knowing most Islanders fans, I’m sure they would like to see Thompson in the lineup on the fourth line with PK specialists Park and Hilbert. Please post your thoughts and suggestions for which way Gordon should go.
And remember the islanders now have a larger question to address. With three games in four days to start the season, it’s questionable whether Bailey will be ready to see any action early. With 14 forwards on the NHL roster, Bailey’s injury might force them to make a decision on sending him back to juniors before they’ve really seen what he can do at this level.
I’ll be back later with more from the morning skate. Thompson’s a good kid, and he’s anxious to provide the toughness so many fans have pleaded with management to add to this team.
Comments (19)
Phooey..I was hoping to see him live on Saturday.
LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL!!!!!!!
Find a spot for Comeau......NOW
Comeau should be in, Thompson just got here....as much as I would like them both
Perfect draft pick!!!! This kid fits right in!!!! Now we have a Mr. Glass goalie (DP), Mr. Glass defensemen (Campoli & Sutton) and a Mr. Glass forward (Bailey). Welcome to the organ-I-zation kid, the trainers room is the second door on the right. You'll find it is always crowded but we'll never tell why because we think we are the New England Patriots of the NHL.
AWESOME!!!!!
Harbour you're on here more then Islander fans. Try something new like going outside once in a while. Man you are a loser.
Someone bring me up to date, How did Blake Comeau fall down the depth chart so quickly that he is now fighting to crack the lineup?
The guy showed enough last season to merit a spot in the lineup. I can’t seem him not playing tomorrow. Teach Thompson to kill penalties and put him in Hilbert’s slot.
I miss Ted Nolan.
I thought Comeau looked good at center last year, though I think he only played for a game or two. I'd rather see him, as more of a playmaker, centering for Okposo. We never have anyone with vision in the center spot, so I'd say put Comeau there and keep him there.
Since the season starts tomorrow, here's my view of the East. Feels free to make your own choices but explain why. Let's have some fun here and see who was right at the end of the season.......SIR WILLIAM
1. MONTREAL Strong and fast. Goaltending may be a weakness but over the long haul they win the East.
2. PITT..... Talent up the middle, but very weak on defense. Lots of turnover and the loss of Gonchar and Whitney really hurt. Will prevail in the Atlantic, but not by much.
3. WASHINGTON......A nice mix of vets and returning kids will make them the South winner. Alex O scores 60 but how many do the goalies give up? Goaltending is a real weakness here and things could go very bad very quickly.
4. PHILLY......Will challenge Pitt for the top spot in the East. If Gagne can return to form, they may even take the Atlantic from the Penguins.
5. OTTAWA......This is a team in transition but I think hey have one more season left in this group. High powered offense but suspect "D" losing Redden and Mezsaros. Goalies are also a question mark.
6. BOSTON.......Another nice mix of youngsters and vets playing a solid style of hockey. Should be more dangerous with Bergeron back. However, does anyone really believe in Tim Thomas?
The rest of the East is a toss up to me and any one of these teams could sneak into the 7 th or 8 th spot.
RANGERS.....A tossed salad of new players. Can they mix into a team? Henrik gives them a chance to win every night but the D is suspect and the forwards may have trouble clicking together. Anybody's guess?
DEVILS......Is this he year Brodeur breaks down? A lot of pressure on Gionta and Elias to have big years and a bunch of no names on defense. Holik and Rolston are not the answer. Odd men out this year.
ISLES.....Isles will surprise people and play an up tempo game. They will look great some nights and awful the next. Over the long haul injuries will take their toll and the team will run out of gas near the end of the season. However, the team will bond and be back stronger the following season. In the playoff hunt until the last month when they will fall to 10 th. place.
BUFFALO........Lost too many key players over the last two years to stay in the hunt. Miller is a good goalie but they just can't replace all the talent that has deserted Buffalo. A shadow of itself.
HURRICANES..........Injuries have already ruined their season. Brind'Amour's loss is a killer. His value to that team cannot be underestimated. Most of their defense has retired or moved on and their offense can't replace Williams and Walker. A long season for LaViolette
TAMPA BAY........Lots of offense. No defense and no goaltending. Plenty of 6-5 losses here. Look for Melrose to be pulling out that mullett by the end of the year. Dan Boyle please come home.
FLORIDA........ Goodbye, Jokinen, goodbye Florida. Another season of frustration for the fans in South Florida.
ATLANTA.....How long before the Kovulchuck watch begins. A one horse team that won't be able to keep that horse after this year. Can you say turmoil?
TORONTO........A new broom swept clean, but now they have an empty house. Not even Mats wanted to come back to this. There will be a feeding frenzy in T.O. as the Leafs finish last overall.
Not bad SW, not bad at all.
I'm gonna be paying close attention to Tampa this year, only because Mullethead is running the team.
On paper they should score about 900 goals. (and I am not even including Stamkos in that total).
Which should be enough to offset the deficiencies behind the forwards.
But I KNOW that Mullethead is gonna screw up that team.
The Lightning are my pre-season call for biggest disappointment of the season.
I'd move Comrie to center Okposo and have Comeau with Park and Hilbert
I'm gonna go out on a limb here and pick the Wild to win the West this year....(yes, over Detroit).
And I'm just talking about regular season...playoffs are another story.
Cuz, Minnesota has what will turn out to be a very steady MAB on the roster!!!!
And I propose that this year, on this board....everyone has to drink a shot of whiskey everytime MAB is mentioned in writing.
I thought by signing a professional contract, Bailey could go down to Bridgeport, but not to juniors.
Obviously, that's not the case.
Comeau was our best all around player last year....Are they insane to put Hilbert in the lineup before him !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Its a team game people its not just about scoring and fighting, we need defensive offenseman also.
http://www.sharksahl.com/story.asp?story_id=1253
Give it up for an old Long Island friend of mine Ryan Vesce for becoming captain of the Worcester Sharks.
How about Comeau-Comrie-Okposo, I don't understand why they are putting a players like Comrie with Park and Hilbert...Comrie is a playmaking center, he should be playing with players like Comeau, Okposo and Tambellini
Heading to opening night!!!! Hopping a plane tomorrow and going to the game. Give a chant out to Coral if you are sitting in section 118x.
Go Isles!!!!
Strategy the islanders want to put one of the worst starting line ups together to gear them selves for the top pick in this years draft. Listen no one wants to play here but washed up vets we need john t. or victor hengman. also the islanders r a cheap organization will not pay top doller for a offensive player. any hilbert...thompson u have to be kidding me i play better then those too!!!