Next In Line: Grabner Injured, Islanders Need Recall

Joshua Lindsey-USA TODAY Sports

The hits keep on coming for the New York Islanders.

On Wednesday afternoon, Newsday’s Arthur Staple reported that winger Michael Grabner suffered a concussion during Monday night’s contest against the Vancouver Canucks, and will be out indefinitely.

The timing is poor. While the Islanders have fallen out of playoff contention over the past few weeks, Grabner had finally rediscovered his scoring touch after a lackluster performance throughout most of the 2013-14 regular season. Following a five-goal Olympic début, the Austrian forward has scored three goals in seven games since his return from Sochi, including an overtime game-winning goal in Winnipeg on March 4.

Eyes on Isles wish him a speedy recovery.

With the injury, Staple also reports that the Islanders will be recalling a player from the team’s AHL-affiliate, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, at some point tomorrow. With Ryan Strome, Anders Lee and Mike Halmo already with the Islanders, here are a few other names that could join the club for Friday night’s match-up against the San Jose Sharks.

Johan Sundstrom

The Islanders 2^nd-round pick (50^th overall) in 2011 has only played in 38 games for the Sound Tigers this season, recording 7 goals and 17 points in that span. The center (yes, the Isles have a lot of those) has been injury-prone the past two seasons; however, he’s considered to be one of the team’s best-skating prospects.

John Persson

A linemate of Sundstrom’s through most of his tenure together in Bridgeport, the Islanders 5^th-round pick (125^th overall) in 2011 is fourth on the Sound Tigers with 12 goals, despite only playing 37 games this season.

Alan Quine

Quine re-entered the draft last summer, and the Islanders grabbed him in the 6^th-round (166^th overall). This Isles’ prospect is known for great hands and skill, and is currently the Sound Tigers’ leading scorer with 24 points (6 goals, 18 assists) in 51 games through his first professional season.

Matt Mangene

New to the system, the speedy skater and Long Island native could get the call to show off some of the return from the Andrew MacDonald trade. He’s a long shot.

If the Islanders opt to go the defensive route, Scott Mayfield and Andrey Pedan could also get their first taste of NHL experience.

Tune in tomorrow to find out!

-CT (@christriants)