NY Islanders announced blessing in disguise diagnosis for defenseman Mike Reilly

On Monday, the New York Islanders provided another injury update to defenseman Mike Reilly, which none of us expected. President of Hockey Operations and GM Lou Lamoriello announced that a pre-existing but undetected heart condition was identified that will keep the 31-year-old out of the lineup indefinitely.

According to Lamoriello, the medical team uncovered the issue as part of routine testing following Reilly's serious concussion that took place on Nov. 1st at Buffalo when he was hit by forward Jordan Greenway and fell hard to the ice, leaving him motionless before leaving with the help of his teammates and trainers. "It was picked up through the different echocardiograms that you do for different reasons that you go through with any post-concussion situation," Lamoriello said.

Lamoriello described the diagnosis as a silver lining and that Reilly has recovered from the concussion. "It's probably a blessing in disguise of what transpired," Lamoriello added. "They detected this, something that you're sometimes born with, but never knew."

Reilly is set to undergo a procedure on Tuesday, and the prognosis is that he'll be able to continue his hockey career and fully recover, though there is no timeline for his return. The most important thing is that an unfortunate circumstance led to a fortuitous diagnosis that will improve his long-term health.

" 100%, and he will be able to play once this procedure is done," Lamoriello said. "It takes quite a bit of time. It could be several months before he's back because of the type of procedure." Reilly was claimed off waivers by the Islanders from the Florida Panthers last season. He became a mainstay on the blueline and earned a one-year contract this off-season. 

Reilly scored six goals and 18 assists in 59 games last season. Through 11 games this year, Reilly hadn't recorded a point.