The New York Islanders have placed defenseman Adam Pelech on long-term injured reserve with an upper-body injury, according to an announcement by the team.
Pelech left the Islanders’ game against the Ottawa Senators last night and did not return after he was hit into the boards and screamed in pain while clutching his arm.
Now that he’s formally been placed on LTIR, Pelech must miss a minimum of 10 games and 24 days, making the earliest possible date for his return Dec. 20 when the Islanders visit the Washington Capitals.
With Pelech on the shelf for the foreseeable future, his $5.75 million cap hit for the season will not count toward the salary cap for the Islanders, but they are not allowed to accrue cap space, either.
In 16 games this season, Pelech has three assists and is averaging 19:38 of ice time on the Islanders’ top defensive pairing.
Samuel Bolduc will take Pelech’s place in the lineup. However, the Islanders could also potentially be without Sebastian Aho, as he, too, was injured and did not return during the game last night.
In that case, the Islanders will need to make a call-up from AHL Bridgeport to dress a full lineup tonight against the Philadelphia Flyers.
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