Anthony Duclair out ‘long term,’ leaving Islanders with unpleasant choices
It did not look good, and it is not good. | Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images
Julien Gauthier, not trusted with the game on the line, is waived as we await a different callup from Bridgeport. The Islanders took a big hit during Saturday’s shootout win over the Montreal Canadiens, as Anthony Duclair’s injury suffered in that game will keep him out “more long term than short term,” according to GM Lou Lamoriello, as reported by Andrew Gross of Newsday. He added that it is not season ending and more testing should provide a clearer estimate.
Duclair is one of the Islanders’ two main changes from last year’s roster, and the biggest one. Signed to fill out a top line with Mat Barzal and Bo Horvat, his season was instead significantly interrupted before he made it five full games.
Initial interpretations that the waiving of Julien Gauthier were a good sign for Duclair’s prognosis were off the mark. Gauthier’s demotion may be more about whether he can fill a regular role after his first appearance of this season:
Roy, asked about Gauthier’s game vs Habs, said he was “OK” but then admits he didn’t trust Gauthier enough to put him on the ice late in the game and adds that probably says it all.— Andrew Gross (@AGrossNewsday) October 21, 2024
With slim cap space, the Isles will recall someone to be that 12th forward — and not Matt Martin, at least not now for the longtime vet who is still around on a PTO.
Lou says Matt Martin not a consideration to be signed off PTO right now.— Andrew Gross (@AGrossNewsday) October 21, 2024
In the meantime, Martin stepped into Casey Cizikas’ spot on the fourth line, while Cizikas moved up to take Simon Holmstrom’s spot next to J-G Pageau and Anders Lee, as Holmstrom skated with Horvat and Barzal.
The Isles have a bunch of forwards in Bridgeport whose NHL salary is around the league minimum like Gauthier’s $787,500, as well as a few more on ELC’s who would make a little more. Hudson Fasching would seem to be a logical “status quo” callup since he filled a bottom-six role last season. But Liam Foudy and Fredrik Karlström are two options with NHL experience who are new additions to the organization this season....
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