Islanders’ John Tavares back in the lineup
UPDATE 10/16/2010 @ 12:54 PM: Chris Botta confirms Tavares will return tonight, via Twitter.
UPDATE 10/16/2010 @ 10:41 AM: According to Katie Strang of Newsday, Tavares and James Wisniewski will be available for tonight’s game. We will confirm his re-insertion in the lineup as it is announced.
Update: This tidbit comes from Scott Gordon, via Chris Botta’s Islanders Point Blank:
Scott Gordon says John Tavares is not travelling with the team today. With games Wednesday in DC and Friday in Pittsburgh, Saturday’s home game against the Avalanche appears to be the earliest return date
The New York Islanders continue to lose the top of their depth chart to injuries with their latest coming to center John Tavares. Last night, after a collision with Dallas Stars forward Adam Burish, Tavares would leave the ice and did not return. He was later diagnosed with a concussion and will be reevaluated tomorrow.
In the meantime, center Josh Bailey will assume the number one role– which is sure to be a boost of value. The team’s scoring lines now look like this:
Blake Comeau – Josh Bailey – PA Parenteau
Michael Grabner – Doug Weight – Nino Niederreiter
Before the season started Tavares was pegged to have a breakout season, with some pundits predicting a boost similar to Steven Stamkos last season. A serious injury would not only set him back but should keep the Islanders at the bottom of the standings.