Adam Pelech’s rookie campaign could be over before it ever really got started.
On Wednesday, Newsday reported that Pelech’s upper-body injury is “almost surely season-ending,” which would limit the 21-year-old’s first NHL season to just seven games played.
It’s unclear right now what’s ailing Pelech, New York’s third-round pick at the ’12 draft.
Head coach Jack Capuano called it a “freak thing,” and it’s worth noting Pelech was held out of Sunday’s loss to the Canucks despite being classified as a gametime decision.
Whatever the case, his absence will hurt.
Pelech had two points in his first seven games, averaging 16:42 TOI. He’d previously impressed down with AHL Bridgeport, though his recall was partly due to the other injuries New York has suffered on defense -- specifically, those to Johnny Boychuk and Travis Hamonic.
As for updates on those two...
Capuano: Hamonic could play Friday if he feels good after practice tomorrow. Boychuk still out until after all-star break.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeAthletic) January 20, 2016
With Boychuk, Hamonic and Pelech out of the lineup on Sunday, the Isles were forced to ice a defense comprised of Nick Leddy, Thomas Hickey, Marek Zidlicky, Brian Strait, Scott Mayfield and Calvin de Haan.
Leddy and Hickey both played over 25 minutes in the shootout defeat, while de Haan clocked in at 23:40.