Eyes on Isles Presents: The Deke Squad — Episode 2

QUESTION 3

Oct 8, 2013; Uniondale, NY, USA; New York Islanders defenseman Lubomir Visnovsky (11) controls the puck against the Phoenix Coyotes during the first period of a game at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

News out of Islander country is that defenseman Lubomir Visnovsky is on the mend after suffering a terrible and equally debilitating concussion. Medical updates are suggesting that Visnovsky should be able to play at the time the Sochi games are upon us, begging the question: Should Lubomir Visnovsky play in the Sochi Winter Games for his respective country, once cleared to do so? Or should he rest and train for his NHL return instead?

CT: I’ve thought about this one a lot, Rich, and you know what? I think if he’s cleared, the Sochi Games would be tremendous for Lubomir Visnovsky. Lubo would get to play in a few games that would have no effect on the Islanders as they attempt to reach the postseason.

If he’s going to be rusty, perhaps he can shake off the rust overseas rather than on Long Island.

I know people are going to disagree – the main argument being “he could get injured overseas.”

But honestly, he can get hurt overseas, here, wherever. He could come back to the Islanders, and in his first game back, get injured again. It’s not something you can predict.

Visnovsky should go to Sochi if he is cleared to play.

RDR: Couldn’t disagree more, but totally understand your logic here. If there weren’t Sochi games to be played, there would still be NHL games to play nonetheless.

Hockey is hockey, and the level of skill at Sochi is as close to the NHL as you’re going to find without actually being in the NHL.

Lubo could stand to get in some serious conditioning, and in all likelihood his respective country will not see a medal round, thus, giving Vis the early exit and all the conditioning he needs to make a strong return to the Islanders roster.

I just hope the Sochi trainers he’ll eventually work with will understand his needs and not force him to play minutes he shouldn’t.

My fear isn’t injury from a check, but rather, from mismanagement.

Glad to see him back on the ice and in conversation again, whatever the case may be. Solid player.

CT: Absolutely!

--Rich Dias-Rodrigues  (@RDNHL)

--Chris Triantafilis (@christiants)