The New York Islanders announced that forward Cal Clutterbuck will be out indefinitely after undergoing successful wrist surgery.
#Isles Injury Update: Cal Clutterbuck had successful wrist surgery and will be out indefinitely. Andrew Ladd has been recalled from Bridgeport.
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) December 21, 2019
Cal Clutterbuck Injured
Prior to the Islanders game on Saturday against the Anaheim Ducks, general manager Lou Lamoriello addressed the media. In his report he told them, Clutterbuck had successful wrist surgery. The Islanders expect him back this season, depending on how the healing process goes. This is the same surgery Los Angeles Kings defenceman Alec Martinez went through. So, expect the recovery time to be around six-to-eight weeks.
The injury occurred during the Islanders 3-2 shootout win against the Boston Bruins on Thursday night. The freak injury occurred when Clutterbuck finished his check on Bruins forward Patrice Bergeron. Bergeron’s skate blade cut Clutterbuck’s left wrist as he fell to the ice. Clutterbuck grabbed his wrist and immediately went to the locker room. During the game, he was taken to the local hospital for observation.
Clutterbuck flew home with the team prior to his surgery. In 33 games this season, Clutterbuck has seven points (three goals and four assists). While he will never have the offensive numbers, his leadership and physicality will be missed in the Islanders lineup. However, the Islanders have other leaders in that room that can keep this team marching forward.
Going Forward
While nothing is official yet, Clutterbuck will be put on injured reserve for the duration of his recovery. With Clutterbuck out of the lineup, the Islanders recalled Andrew Ladd from Bridgeport. After recovering from an ACL tear, the Islanders put Ladd on waivers. From there he went to Bridgeport. In 19 games in Bridgeport this season, Ladd has nine points (seven goals and two assists). Head coach Barry Trotz is not sure if Ladd will play today, but he will take the warm up.
Joining Clutterbuck on the sidelines is Michael Dal Colle. Dal Colle will be out day-to-day with a lower-body injury.
It will be interesting to see how the Islanders respond with these players out of the lineup. They continue to win in large part to their goaltending. One thing the Islanders need is scoring. But until they get that, they will continue to play close games. As the injuries start to mount, will they be able to remain in the second spot in the Metropolitan Division?
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